It is advisable to check your fluids at the same time you schedule an oil change, every 4800km if using regular oil and 8000km if using synthetic oil. We don’t always think about these things, so make a schedule and your mechanic will also routinely check all fluids, tire pressure, and other general maintenance items while the vehicle is in the shop.
By checking these fluids regularly, it ensures your vehicles optimal functioning, fuel economy and longevity! Be sure to always listen and watch out for unusual noises, odours, or vibrations.
With engine components spinning thousands of reps per minute, it's the engine oil that keeps everything lubricated and smoothly in motion. Engine oil is amber/yellow colour when new and a brown/black colour when it's time for an oil change.
Coolant (antifreeze) keeps the engine cool in the summer and protects it from freezing during the winter. Coolant also prevents deposits, corrosion and foam from reducing cooling efficiency. Coolant comes in a variety of colours (blue, yellow, green, red, pink or purple), depending on vehicle model age and manufacturer. Never mix coolant types and always replace with the same type of antifreeze your owner’s manual recommends.
Power steering fluid allows easy steering manoeuvrability. Power steering fluid is whiteish/pinkish colour. Remember trying to make a U-turn in one the older cars, if felt like you were turning an ox wagon around, yay for power steering😉
When stepping on the pedal, brake fluid connects the brake pedal to the brakes, a plunger pressurizes the fluid inside the brake lines, which cause the brake pads to clamp on the rotors, this slows the vehicle down. Brake fluid is a yellowish colour.
Transmission fluid lubricates and cools transmission components (gears, clutches, and valves), for optimum performance.
When your transmission fluid is low, your car won't generate as much hydraulic pressure, leading to a failure to accelerate properly, your vehicle may be reaching high RPMs while moving sluggishly. Transmission fluid should be an amber/translucent red colour.
This is probably the fluid that we are most familiar with, vital to safe driving, windshield washer fluid allows the driver to see clearly. Usually blue, green, or orange/red in colour, simply pour new washer fluid into the reservoir until it's full and close the cap.
Voila! Mission accomplished!
I hope our article, “What Six Fluids do I Need to Check in my Vehicle?” was informative and acts as a reminder to check on the little things, we so easily miss. Midas Swellendam is a retail auto parts store designed around the needs of vehicle owners and automotive mechanics, focusing on quality products at the best price.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Midas Swellendam’s newsletter, go ahead, subscribe today! Please follow us on social media to stay up to date with our latest sizzling discounts and promotional offers.
Midas Swellendam is proud to be part of one of South Africa’s most well-trusted franchise groups. The Midas brand’s familiar orange and black signage marks a ‘one-stop’ store that is filled with all the things you will need to keep your car, tractor and truck roadworthy, and looking good. Mi...
View ProfileXplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.
Read MoreAs winter approaches be prepared for rain and wet roads. Your best practices for safety are visibility,firm control and slower speeds,by reducing speed gradually ytaking your foot off the accelerator and most importantly, staing calm.
A brand's name is often the first element that customers will encounter, It's vital that the name is distinctive, authentic, memorable and enduring. Your brand name is your store,it signifies what you stand for in the market, and is vital to ...
We have put together a comparison of our most popular Caltex engine oils, which also happen to be our best sellers, so that you can make an informed decison for yourselves.
Midas Swellendam features a step-by-step guide on how to Jump-Start a Vehicle.
