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The Most Important Fluids for Your Car

Keeping the fluids in your vehicle at their proper levels is essential to keeping everything running smoothly and maintaining your car in good working order. Allowing any of the essential fluids to drop below the fill line, or worse yet, allowing them to dry out, could significantly shorten the useful life of your automobile. While many drivers are unable or unwilling to attempt most repairs, maintaining the levels of essential car fluids is possible for almost anyone.

The Top Three

Motor oil is the most important fluid in any car that has an internal combustion engine. It prevents the friction and high heat that occurs during an engine’s operation from destroying the engine’s components by keeping all the moving parts lubricated. Running an engine for even a short time without oil will cause it to seize up and become unusable.

Transmission fluid performs a similar function within the transmission, and although it usually does not have to be checked by a car’s owner, any noticeable hitch in shifting gears should prompt a fluid check.

Although motor oil and transmission fluid are by far the most important fluids to keep your car running, brake fluid is the most important fluid when it comes to passenger safety. Although a car’s brake system is fully sealed, any small leak can cause air to enter the braking system, compromising the car’s ability to stop.

Other Important Stuff

In addition to motor oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, it is essential to keep your car’s radiator coolant at an optimum level. Without enough of this important fluid, a car will quickly overheat and become inoperable.

Although windshield wiper fluid is a non-essential fluid when it comes to a car’s ability to operate, it does add to the safety of the vehicle by providing a quick means of clearing the windshield of dirt, dust, salt spatter, and bug residue. Additionally, this fluid is very simple to maintain.

A Little Time-A Big Impact

Simply by taking a few minutes every so often to check these fluids, you can ensure your car will run well for many years to come. However, if your car has seen better days, despite your excellent care, it may be time to check out our extensive selection of new and used cars at your Hawk Cadillac dealership-Plainfield.