Staying On the Road: 3 Fluid Levels to Check as Regular Car Care

There are few things more terrifying than being stuck on the road because your car refuses to run right. The only thing running through your mind at that moment is how in the world you’re going to be able to afford all of those future bills.

Cars are one of the most expensive things to repair. In fact, one car problem can cost many hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars – and most of us don’t have that kind of money to spare.

The best way to keep this situation from coming up is to prevent it from happening in the first place, and that means practicing good car care habits and checking your fluids.

As strange as it may sound, checking your fluids is extremely important on any car, especially older vehicles. Doing so could mean the difference between driving with no worries and being towed away with future expenses.

Keep reading to learn what liquids you should be checking.

Car Care Starts with Your Oil

There is no liquid in your car more important than you oil, and because of this, you need to make sure you keep an eye on it.

Your oil is to your car like blood is to your body. Underneath the hood, there are many moving parts that help the car run smoothly and efficiently. All of these parts create heat and friction, but oil keeps them moving in a fluid manner.

Without enough oil to circulate the engine, however, the moving parts won’t move fluidly and will seize up as a result. That means you’ll have to completely tear down and rebuild the engine – and that could cost you thousands.

Check your oil frequently to make sure it at the proper level required by the car.

There’s Also Washer Fluid

Washer fluid isn’t nearly as important as your oil, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp out on it.

Most of the time, you try to keep your windows clean. After all, it makes the car look good, and you need to see out of them in order to drive.

That being said, we may be out somewhere when we run into a problem (for example, one of our feathered friends decides to let one fly onto your car). If this is the case, you need to get it cleaned with some washer fluid concentrate.

Making sure there’s enough in your car will guarantee you’ll be ready to clean anything that hits your windshield.

Don’t Forget Your Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is necessary for…you guessed it: your transmission.

Whether you have a manual or an automatic, your car requires a shifting of gears in order to go faster or to slow down. And in order for those gears to shift properly, they need fluid to help them do that.

Without transmission fluid, your vehicle will start doing bad things such as jumping as it tries to change gears, or even getting stuck in a specific gear. The repairs needed after this has happened can be tremendous.

To avoid all of these, simply check the transmission fluid to see how much you have. That way, you can add more if need be – and keep the pricey repairs at bay.

We’ve Got the Info You Need

Car care is important, and anyone who knows this would also agree that there’s more to it than just checking your liquid levels. We’ve got all of the information you need to take care of your car.

In fact, at News Blaze we don’t just help you solve car problems; we’ve got knowledge on every level to help you succeed. Our site has blog posts on the latest financial tips, media, world news, and so much more.

Make sure to have a look around. We’re sure you’ll like what you find.

Melissa Thompson writes about a wide range of topics, revealing interesting things we didn’t know before. She is a freelance USA Today producer, and a Technorati contributor.