Have your vehicles been running a bit odd lately, such as having trouble starting, feeling heavy during turns, or making strange noises? Many of these problems can be due to low fluids in your car. Every vehicle requires different types of fluid to run smoothly and to prevent serious problems. Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance will share the different types of fluids your vehicle needs, how they help to operate your vehicle, and when it might be running low and need to get refilled.
Car & Vehicle Fluid List
Motor Oil – Motor oil is an essential fluid for your vehicle’s engine. The motor oil’s job is to lubricate and keep the moving parts cool inside the engine’s crankcase. When the motor oil gets low, your engine may begin to make some noises and even begin to overheat often. It’s important to check the motor oil levels every few months to make sure your vehicle engine is properly cared for.
Brake Fluid – The brake fluid is essential in controlling your vehicle when it comes to slowing or stopping it at will. A vehicle braking system uses a hydraulic pressure that engages when the driver activates the brake pad of the vehicle, which will make a vehicle slow down or stop. If your brake fluid is low you will find it takes longer to slow your vehicle down. It is very unusual to run low on brake fluid. In the event it does occur, it mostly likely is due to a leak. Make sure you avoid driving the vehicle until it gets repaired should this happen. You may want to consider having your vehicle towed to your preferred mechanic.
Coolant – Another common reason why a vehicle will over heat is caused by low coolant levels. The coolant is comprised of 50% water and 50% coolant. This fluid circulates from the radiator and the engine and back to the radiator to recycle the coolant. The only time the coolant runs low is due to a leak somewhere in the coolant system, such as in the tank or hoses. If your vehicle begins to overheat, turn your engine off and check the coolant. If it is low, you can use water to fill the coolant temporarily until you can get your vehicle home.
Transmission Fluid – The transmission fluid is easily compared to motor oil, but instead of lubricating and cooling the engine crankcase, the transmission oil is used to lube your vehicle’s transmission. The transmission is a separate part of your vehicle’s engine and also has many moving parts. They too, require lubrication and cooling.
Power Steering Fluid – Power steering fluid is what gives modern vehicles that smooth light-weight ability to turn, using one finger. When the power steering fluid is low or leaking, in many cases your vehicle will become extremely difficult to turn. If your vehicle it hard or feels heavy to turn, take it down to your preferred mechanic and check you power steering system and fluid levels.
Battery Fluid – There are a few batteries still out there that need fluid in order to maintain its charge. If you have one of these types of batteries, you may need to regularly check your battery’s fluid levels–especially if your vehicle is having a tough time starting.
Windshield Wiper Fluid – Windshield wiper fluid is used to help clean your windshield and provide the driver with good visibility. One of the most frequently added fluids, and one of the easiest to add, is the windshield wiper fluids. When your windshield wiper fluid is low or gone often the check engine light or another indication will alert the driver to add more.
Towing & Roadside Assistance in Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington, Carrollton & Plano Texas
If your vehicle is experiencing any of these above mentioned problems due to low fluid levels, especially while you’re one the road, contact Speedway Towing and Roadside Assistance. We provide roadside assistance including fuel and fluid deliveries. If your vehicle is low on its fluids, or you need your vehicle towed, contact Speedway Towing and Roadside Assistance toady!
