Liquid in Motion: Car Fluids Explained

A car’s fluids are often considered to be the lifeblood of the vehicle. And, because they’re so important they need to be either replaced or maintained on a regular basis. This will ensure a proper working engine and keep your car running smoothly. If they’re not taken care of, it can cause massive damage to a vehicle, in some cases even making an engine unusable. Even though most of us are aware of the basics, there are lots of things under the hood that many of us don’t have a clue about. The following is a list of the various fluids that make an engine run and why they’re important.

Oil

The most obvious fluid that your car needs, and the one that people are the most familiar with, is oil. Engine oil cools and lubricates your car’s internal parts and is very important to the running of your car. If your car runs out of oil, the engine could seize which would effectively render it useless. So, in the process of taking care of the engine, oil can break down and get dirty, which is why it is important to change it every 5,000 kilometres or every couple of months (even when your car is parked, oil can break down and lose its effectiveness).

Engine Coolant

Coolant keeps your engine running at an optimal temperature, and helps prevent overheating. If your car overheats, it takes a toll on the radiator, water pump and the engine itself (leading to costly repair bills down the road). Keep in mind that cars are designed to use antifreeze and not water, because antifreeze has a lower freezing point and a higher boiling point.

Windshield Washer Fluid

While not directly tied into the performance of your car (in fact your car can run fine without it), windshield washer fluid is very important to a vehicle while it’s in motion. It clears off any obstruction that may fly onto your windshield (like bugs) and is an absolute necessity in the winter season when slush can limit your vision when driving.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid lubricates your car’s gear system (the transmission). Because of this, when you are driving, your transmission’s parts are exposed to tremendous heat and pressure. The fluid used (usually red in colour, if it’s brown or black it needs to be changed) helps keep your transmission running smoothly, and if not maintained your transmission will fail over time.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid transmits the power in your car’s steering system. While it seems like this fluid isn’t that important because its main function is to simply regulate steering so that the motion becomes effortless, don’t underestimate its value. The fluid needs to function in any temperature and in any driving condition (whether your engine is idling or running at full steam) and to maintain the integrity of all of the rubber components in the system.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is designed to withstand cold temperatures without thickening as well as high temperatures without boiling (if your brake temperature should boil, you would get a spongy petal that would make it hard to stop your car). As brake pads wear, the brake fluid level will drop. Obviously, brake fluid is very important to the functioning of the braking system in your car and should be well-maintained, lest you find yourself not being able to stop. One more thing about brake fluid; you should always keep the reservoir covered (except for when you’re filling it) as exposure to the air can cause the fluid to absorb moisture, which would lower the fluid’s boiling temperature.

Obviously, gas is the fluid that people pay most attention to as it is the one that needs replaced the most often. But, your car consumes fuel; it doesn’t actually do anything to make any of the parts work. That’s why it’s important to know about the different fluids present in your car, and keep an eye on them to ensure that your engine runs smoothly and problem-free.

Always be aware of the status of your car’s fluids, keep records or use the CAA Auto Advisor.

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