Car Repair and Necessary Fluid Maintenance

Car fluids are an essential part of proper engine function, and a large percentage of drivers do not know how to test these car fluids or where to locate these components.  An integral part of general car maintenance includes bumper-to-bumper inspection of a vehicle each year to verify the safety of a vehicle on the road.  

Common Daily Fluid Checks

The fluids running through a car engine are as vital as water to the human body.  These lubricants protect the engine and all moving parts throughout the car that enhance performance and maneuverability.  It is commonly known that automatic transmissions fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles.  While the transmission flush tends to be more difficult than an oil change, it’s best to bring your car to professionals for the transmission fluid change.  You can read hundreds of sites that argue about the different mileage before you need an oil change. Ten or fifteen years ago, cars were recommended to get an oil change around 3,000 miles.  With the upgraded technology and fuel efficient cars, it is argued that most cars truly do not need oil changes until 5,000 up to 10,000 miles.   The same debate with oil changes is similarly arguable with the required miles before you flush the radiator.  Various mechanics and car repair companies differ on the number of miles before you have a radiator flush, but it is common knowledge to flush the radiator every 40,000 miles or more.  While it is not one of the most common fluids to monitor, it is a vital part of any operating engine.  Finally, windshield washer fluid can easily be detected because the fluid will not spray across the windshield if the reservoir is empty.  Not only is this the most inexpensive fluid check, windshield wipers increase visibility and protect the driver from inclement weather changes.

Regular Wheel and Tire Maintenance

Like the human body, you would not be able to walk without caring for your feet.   Another important maintenance issue concerns your tires and wheels to keep your car moving.  Wheel alignments prevent extensive wear on your tires and it keeps your tires balanced.  If your wheels are out of alignment, you will notice the car tends to pull towards one side of the car.  You can test wheel alignment by driving down an empty road and removing your hands directly from the wheel.  If the steering wheel veers towards one side, you need to check the alignment.  Brake pads also need to be checked especially if you have an automatic transmission.  The first sign of brake repair is a loud metallic grinding sound as you turn your wheels around street corners.    

Safety Car Components 

Once all the fluids and tires have been checked on the car, it is important to check a few more features on the car for safety.  Changing the air filter depends on how often a car is driven, but it has been suggested to change the air filter every 30,000 miles or during every other oil change.  Finally, inspecting the wires in your engine will assist in better performance of the vehicle overall.