By Tricky Shark
What Fluids Does My Vehicle Take & What Do They Do?
Vehicle fluids are an integral part of keeping your vehicle running smoothly and safely. But what do these fluids do? What types of fluids does your vehicle need? And how can you tell if they need to be changed or maintained? This blog post will answer all of these questions and more so that you can make sure your vehicle operates at its best.
Types of Vehicle Fluids
Several types of vehicle fluids are essential for your car or truck's proper function and maintenance. These include engine oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze/coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and differential oil. Each type serves a different purpose, but they all work together to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Let's explore each one in more detail:
Engine Oil
Engine oil lubricates moving parts inside the engine and helps reduce heat buildup from friction caused by these parts rubbing against each other. It also helps remove dirt and debris from the engine, which can cause wear on the internal components. Regularly changing your engine oil is key for ensuring that it performs as it should.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating the gears in the transmission system as well as transferring power from the engine to the drive wheels. It also cools down the transmission, which prevents overheating due to friction caused by frequent gear changes. Changing transmission fluid regularly is important for maintaining smooth shifting performance.
Antifreeze/Coolant
Antifreeze/coolant is used to keep the engine cool by transferring heat away from critical components like pistons and cylinders. It also prevents corrosion and freezing in cold climates by raising the boiling point of water inside the engine block. Checking your antifreeze/coolant levels is important to ensure that it's high enough, as either can cause major damage to your engine over time if left unchecked.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid transfers pressure generated when you press down on the brakes into hydraulic pressure, which causes friction on brake pads that slows down or stops your car when needed. Brake fluid needs to be changed regularly because, over time, it absorbs moisture which can lead to corrosion within brake lines and other components if left unchecked for too long.
Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid helps make turning easier by transferring hydraulic pressure when you turn your wheel while driving, allowing you to steer with less effort than without power steering assistance (which could become very difficult). It's important to check power steering fluid levels regularly as low levels can cause major problems such as a hard-to-turn steering wheel, grinding noises coming from underhood, etc., all of which could result in expensive repairs if neglected for too long.
Differential Oil
Differential oil helps transfer power from your engine to the drive axle, which turns your tires forward when accelerating or backward when reversing direction (as opposed to just spinning freely). Differential oil needs regular maintenance for it to perform properly; otherwise, it could lead to costly repairs if left unchecked for too long due to excessive wear on internal components caused by the lack of lubrication provided by differential oil itself.
Understanding what types of fluids are used in vehicles& what they do are all key steps toward ensuring that you take care of one of your most valuable investments – Your Vehicle! This will help maintain its performance and save you money in costly repairs down the road! If ever unsure about any aspect related to vehicle fluids – please reach out and ask a professional auto technician who will be able to answer any questions related specifically to any issues involving vehicles!
If you need auto repair you can rely on, come to Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City, TN. Our ASE-Certified auto mechanics will ensure you're ready for the road. Visit our website today to schedule an appointment. Also, don't forget to add us on Facebook, we post all sorts of great stuff, and we would love to interact with you!