Transmission Flush

Posts Tagged ‘Checking’

There was a time that when you filled your gasoline tank, a friendly, knowledgeable and efficient attendant cheerfully checked your oil, coolant, and transmission fluid. He cleaned your windshield, checked your wiper blades and sometimes even your tires. But with the advent of the self-service gas station, this person has slowly become extinct. At most stations, the only available human is the cashier whose knowledge is limited to the price of the gasoline.

Although checking fluid levels is not something you want to take your car to the repair shop to have done, it is a very important task and if neglected, can result in major maintenance problems. So it has now become something you need to do yourself. Fortunately it isn’t difficult.

To check the engine oil, first park your car on a level surface and be sure the parking brake is engaged. Wait for a while, and then raise the hood. Look for the dipstick. It normally reads, “engine oil.” Your owner’s manual should have a picture, if you have difficulty.

Pull the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. Then replace it; ensuring it goes all the way back down. Now pull the dipstick again. At the very bottom you see a series of marks and the word “full.” Your oil should be on the full mark.

Look at the color. It should be transparent. If it is black, you need an oil change immediately. When it is dark brown, you don’t need to change it right away but you will need to do so very soon. If it has the appearance of coffee laced with milk, you have a problem. Your coolant is mixing with your engine oil due to a mechanical mal-function. You need to take the car to a repair shop.

If your oil is low, you need to add more oil. Do this a little at a time, waiting for the oil to go down, and checking the dipstick after each addition. Be very careful not to overfill it as this can damage your engine.

On most cars you check your transmission fluid with the shift in park and the engine idling. However, you should first check your owner’s manual to be sure this procedure is proper for your car. The owner’s manual will also show you where the transmission dipstick is located.

Pull the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag free of lint. Then replace it ensuring that it settles all the way down into place. Pull it again and check. If your car has just been driven and is warm, the fluid will register at the upper end of the “hot” mark. If the engine is cold, then the fluid level should be within the cold marks.

If you have to add fluid, be sure you use the fluid recommended in the owner’s manual. If you don’t do this, you can damage your transmission. If adding fluid, add only a small amount, wait a few minutes and check the dipstick. Do not overfill.

To check coolant, look at your coolant overflow tank. If the level is between the “low” and “full” marks, it is okay. If it is low, pour some coolant into the overflow tank until you reach the “full” mark. Be careful not to open the coolant overflow tank or the radiator when the engine is warm. Wait for it to cool off completely.

Maintaining proper levels of all fluids is essential to prevent costly mechanical problems.

Windshield wiper fluid may seem, on the surface of it, to be among the less important fluids in a car’s working systems. Unlike transmission fluid, it is not vital to the smooth operation of the vehicle. Unlike brake fluid it is not immediately relevant to the safe driving of the car, and unlike engine oil it does not affect the inner workings of the most important parts of the car, yet it would be unwise to ignore its importance. If we are to compare vehicular fluids to human bodily fluids, then imagine for a moment that you had no tear ducts. Simply opening and closing your eyes would be agony. The merest speck of dust would blind you for an indefinite period. If you have no windshield wiper fluid, visibility will become an issue very quickly. 

It should therefore be quite clear how important it is to have your windshield wiper fluid topped up to the correct level as regularly as you can. During rainstorms, you will need the wipers to keep your windshield clear, and when the harsh weather has ceased you will find that there are residual stains which the wipers are uniquely equipped to remove. Just as bad are the situations when a bird has done what comes naturally on your windscreen, or some other animal or human has befouled the glass in one way or another. For these eventualities, the windscreen wipers and their associated fluid are absolutely vital. The following step by step guide should come in useful when checking your levels. 

Check the owner’s manual for the car to locate the fluid reservoir. Find the windshield wiper fluid, and create a mixture with water. Prop up the hood of the car, locate the reservoir and check the levels. If the fluid is at the right level, then you are done! If the fluid needs topping up, remove the cap for the reservoir. Add the fluid up to the fill level indicated. Put the cap back on, close the hood and there you are – job done.

This is one of the more simple processes of keeping a vehicle up to scratch but it may be one of the more vital depending on where and when you need to drive. Keeping a clean windshield is something that not everyone is prepared to admit is a major part of driving – but the truth is that a dirty windshield can be distracting as well as making it difficult to judge stopping distances and even potentially causing blind spots. 

Keeping a close eye on the wiper fluid levels, and using the right kind of fluid as well, are vital elements of vehicle maintenance. In winter, if you live somewhere that is prone to sub-freezing temperatures, it is important to make sure your wiper fluid is combined with an anti-freeze ingredient so as not to have problems in cold weather. It may seem like such a small part of running a car, but it will seem much bigger when you need it and do not have it.

Much as the car’s exterior and interior needs regular checking, the parts that are found under your car also needs religious check up. The excellent appearance of both the interior and the exterior are useless if the under parts are not in good condition. So make sure everything is checked when doing maintenance.

Generally speaking, under the car are not much things to maintain. However, maintaining those under car parts will add comfort while driving and will add to a better performance of your car.

Among under car part, the most important are the tires. They are the ones that keep your car on the road. Paying much attention to them will prevent severe tire problem that might eventually lead to car break down. The quality and the cost are two things that a car owner usually considers when choosing the right tires. But above all, quality counts a lot. To the most out of your tires, the best thing to do is to have them rotated and balanced on a regular basis. This is usually done every 7,500 miles. By doing this, you are assured that they will last long.

Take note that a properly balanced tire minimizes the stress and strain on shocks, struts, and steering parts in general. This makes balancing very essential in car maintenance. And to extend the life of your tires and maintain fuel economy, keep the tire pressures set to specification.

The brakes are the second most important under car part. By having them serviced at the intervals of 15,000 miles, you will be assured of their top performance. Moreover, cleaning the brake pads and rotors or discs will ensure that they are quiet, wear evenly and working properly, which paves way for a cozy driving.

Another example of an auto part that requires regular check up is the battery. Always make sure that the battery fluid is leveled up to the full line and that the terminals are clean and snow free. The top of the battery also needs to be clean in order to prevent leakage of the current between the terminals. Every 7,500 miles, this checking should be done.

The differential fluids must also be in the list of priorities. By doing so, it can contribute to your car’s longer life. Change the transfer case fluid as well if your car is four or all wheel drive.

The exhaust, should of course never be taken for granted. Make sure they are always clean and rust free. Check your owner’s manual if your car can use alternative exhaust brands like a Cat Back exhaust. Also keep in mind the service schedule to ensure regular maintenance.

The engine oil and filter must be replaced every 3,000 miles or 3 months. The battery is replaced every 7,500 miles or 6 months and the rotation and the balancing of tires must also be done at these intervals. The flushing and filling of transmission fluid as well as the replacement of the transmission filter are done every 15,000 miles or 1 year. Also done at these intervals are the replacements of air and fluid filters, PCV and breather element and the servicing of brakes.

The flushing of coolant and brake fluid, the replacement of coolant and carbon canister filter, and the refilling of brake fluid are done every 30,000 miles or 2 years. At these intervals the distributor cap, rotor and wires, spark plugs and differential/transfer case fluid are also replaced.

Having the know-how in under car maintenance is a must for all drivers. This gives you less cost in repairs and does not only ensure excellent driving performance and comfort. Most important is that your safety is assured when all your car parts are functioning well.

Be it inside, outside of under your car, make sure every single detail is in good condition to assure gains in your precious investment – your car.

Your car can survive and operate efficiently for years as long as it has access to certain fluids. For example, your engine requires oil; your radiator needs coolant (or antifreeze); your transmission and brake system also need their respective fluids. If these systems are starved, they will eventually fail to perform. Your engine and transmission, in particular, will sustain expensive damage.

Unfortunately, millions of drivers fail to check their fluid levels on a regular basis, even though doing so is simple and requires very little time. In this article, we’ll provide a blueprint you can use to check the levels and ensure your car’s major systems are in good health.

How To Check The Oil

Your engine is comprised of moving parts that create friction and heat during operation. Oil helps to lubricate these parts and prevent them from destroying each other. If your engine lacks sufficient oil, it will seize up or overheat, leaving you by the side of the road.

If you have been driving, let your car cool down for several minutes. Then, lift the hood and find the oil dipstick (it’s usually located near the front of the assembly). Pull the dipstick from its housing and wipe the oil off with a rag. Then, stick the dipstick all the way back into its housing and withdraw it again. You’ll see two noticeable markers. The oil should be between them. If the level is next to, or below, the lowest marker, add a quart of oil and pull the dipstick out again to reexamine it.

How To Check The Transmission Fluid

While the oil should be checked when your engine is cold, the transmission fluid must be checked while your engine is idling. It has its own dipstick, which is usually located near the oil dipstick. Let your engine idle for several minutes before checking the level.

Remove the dipstick and wipe the fluid off onto another clean rag. Then, stick it back into its slot and remove it again. Like the oil dipstick, it has two obvious markers. The transmission fluid should appear between them. If the level is low, add more.

One side note: you can expect your oil level to decline over time. Your transmission fluid is different. The entire assembly is completely sealed, which means the fluid should not escape. If the level is low, that usually means a seal or gasket had developed a leak. It needs to be addressed by a mechanic.

How To Check The Coolant In The Radiator

The coolant level in your radiator should be checked once the engine has cooled a bit. Never check it while it’s hot; the pressure within can cause injury. Your vehicle’s radiator cap should be located on the driver’s side near the engine. Take the cap off (use a rag to protect your hand from heat) and peer inside. If the level is lower than the top, you’ll need to add more.

In most vehicles, there is also a coolant reservoir. Coolant expands and flows into this receptacle during operation. It should be approximately two-thirds full. If it’s low, add more.

How To Check The Brake Fluid

Your brake system should never be low on fluid. In that way, it is similar to your transmission; a low level means there’s a leak somewhere. It should be repaired before it worsens and places your safety – and that of your passengers – at risk. There is a brake fluid reservoir that is normally located near the firewall on the driver’s side. It sits atop the master cylinder. You should be able to identify the level without removing the lid. If it is lower than two-thirds full, add more.

The fluids described above are essential to your safety and the operation of your vehicle. Get into the habit of checking them every few weeks. It only takes a few minutes and will prolong the life of your car.