How To Check The 6 Essential Fluids In Your Car

The fluids in your vehicle play vital roles, from regulating engine temperature to ensuring clear vision on the road ahead. That’s why you should know when and how to check essential fluids in your car in addition to getting your vehicle scheduled maintenance. The service team at BMW of Houston Midtown recommends monitoring the following fluids regularly to maintain optimal vehicle performance:

• Engine oil
• Brake fluid
• Engine coolant
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid

Below, we will go into more detail about each fluid, so you can see how they contribute to your driving experience in River Oaks.

How To Check Essential Fluids In Your Car

For your car to perform optimally on the roads of Cypress, you should check these fluids regularly and replace them as needed or at intervals recommended by your manufacturer. Read ahead to learn how and when to check car fluids like windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, motor oil, and engine coolant.

Note: Before checking the level of an essential car fluid (except transmission fluid), wait until the engine has cooled for at least 30 minutes before opening the hood.

Motor Oil

• Purpose of motor oil: Prevents friction between engine parts and regulates engine temperature
• When to change motor oil: Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or every 6 months, whichever comes first, if you use synthetic oil
• How to check motor oil: Find the dipstick under the hood, and then insert it into the oil reservoir to check the oil level and consistency

Brake Fluid

• Purpose of brake fluid: Transfers movement and force from the brake pedal to the braking system
• How often to replace brake fluid: Every 30,000 miles or 2 years
• How to check brake fluid: Fluid level should reach the marking on the side of the clear brake fluid reservoir in the engine compartment

Engine Coolant

• Purpose of engine coolant: Optimizes temperature in your vehicle’s cooling system and engine
• When to replace engine coolant: Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles
• How to check engine coolant: Fluid level should reach the marking on the side of the engine coolant reservoir underneath your car’s hood (Note: coolant can deteriorate over time, so even if tests show that your coolant is still adequate and you have enough of it, you may still want to replace it.)

Transmission Fluid

• Purpose of transmission fluid: Lubricates the moving parts in your transmission to ensure fast and smooth gear shifts (Note: manual and automatic transmissions use different types of transmission fluids)
• How often to replace transmission fluid (for cars with automatic transmission): Every 30,000 to 100,000 miles
• How to check transmission fluid (for cars with automatic transmission): Remove and re-insert the transmission fluid dipstick into the reservoir. Pull it out and observe the fluid level. Check that the fluid color is translucent dark red. If your car has a sealed transmission, bring it to a service center near Missouri City for inspection.

Power Steering Fluid

• Purpose of power steering fluid: Ensures proper function of the power steering hydraulic system, which multiplies the force you exert on your steering wheel
• When to replace power steering fluid: At least 2 to 4 years or every 30,000 to 50,000 miles; signs to watch for include difficult steering, a whining noise from the power steering pump, and the power steering system requiring frequent service
• How to check power steering fluid: Find the reservoir (usually under your car’s hood, marked with a steering wheel symbol or the words ‘power steering fluid’) and make sure the fluid reaches the marked level

Windshield Wiper Fluid

• Purpose of windshield wiper fluid: Increases the efficacy of your windshield wipers for clear visibility
• When to replace windshield wiper fluid: As needed, when no fluid comes out of the sprayers on your windshield
• How to check windshield wiper fluid: Open the hood and find the reservoir with a windshield washer symbol on the cap

Learn More About Car Maintenance From BMW of Houston Midtown

If you want to learn more about the maintenance your BMW vehicle requires, read our other service guides. You can also reach out to our service team directly for more information, or bring your car to our Houston center to get maintenance tasks completed. We are here to help you enjoy everything your BMW vehicle has to offer.