You Know to Check Your Fluids, But What Are You Looking For?

Since before you earned your driver’s license, you’ve heard that you should check your fluids. It’s one of the ‘fundamentals’ of owning a car. That’s what you’re told anyway, but rarely – if ever – do you see people checking their fluids. So why does everyone say it’s so important?

It really is an important task for your vehicle’s health. When you check your fluids, you’re determining if there are early warning signs that might indicate a problem. And, by topping up your fluids, you can safely drive until you can get it checked out. What should you check, and what are you looking for?

How to Check Your Fluids

When you first look under your hood, you might not know what you’re looking at. You want to identify the locations of your fluids so you can check their level. In most vehicles, you’ll find that the caps are a color that stands out. Blue, yellow, white, black with white lettering — all are common to see under the hood.

When you check your fluids, you want to make sure the level is between the minimum and maximum lines. You should make sure the fluid looks clean and doesn’t smell burnt. Some fluid levels are read on the reservoir while others have a dipstick.

What Are You Looking At?

Engine Oil

Your engine oil should be honey brown just after an oil change. After a while, it will start to get dirty, turning dark brown as it comes due for an oil change. Most importantly for your oil, make sure the level is adequate on the dipstick. Top it up with the grade of oil noted on the oil cap if it’s below the ‘add’ line.

Transmission Fluid

The transmission fluid is bright red when it’s new on most vehicles. As it gets near its service interval, it turns brownish and takes on a strong smell. That’s alright, as long as it isn’t a putrid burnt odor. If your fluid is low, top it up with the proper fluid as noted on the dipstick.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is almost clear when it’s new. On the reservoir, it can be hard to see its level. As your vehicle ages, the brake fluid gets darker like the color of engine oil. It will need to be changed, but most importantly, the fluid level should be above the minimum line. Top it up with the brake fluid noted on the cap.

Engine Coolant

There are different colors of engine coolant in use, but it should always be clean and free of floating particles. If there’s no indication of fluid level on the reservoir, let the engine cool completely BEFORE opening the radiator cap. If you open it while the engine is hot, you can be badly burned.

If your Toyota has low fluid levels or you need help checking your fluids, we’re here for you. Jay Wolfe Toyota’s service department is available to check your fluids and perform any fluid maintenance you might require.