Many years ago, you could actually go to a gas station and the attendant will not only fill your gas tank, but clean your windows and check your fluids. In today's world, many people have no idea how you can check the car's fluid levels. Most are content to go in for an oil change every once in a while, and let them check the fluid levels.

For your vehicle to be functioning well for the long term, you need to know what fluids needs to be checked and do it regularly. Your automobile manual will have all the information you need to help you keep your fluid levels in check. There will be a diagram of the motor and the specific location of all the fluids. If you want to be sure, you can also do extra research on the internet. When you want to check the oil, look for a cap around the front of the engine that says "oil." To evaluate how much oil you have left, make sure the engine is off, then take out the dipstick and wipe the oil off the stick with a rag or towel. Insert the dipstick completely back in then remove it again to look at your oil level reading. You want to make certain that the oil on the dipstick is between the maximum and minimum marks. If it is lower than, then you will want to add some oil.

With older cars you should check every couple of weeks, because they normally are losing oil somewhere. You don't have to do this for older cars or trucks. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, then you need to check its level by finding it towards the back of the engine. Check the owner's handbook to understand how to check it. You will definitely need to have the car operating while in the neutral or park position. The most exact reading can be achieved by driving the car a bit to get the transmission warmed up. Go through same course of action as when examining the oil, but it only needs checking once a year, unless you can tell it is leaking.

If you need to check the car's coolant level, do not do it after you just finished using your car. The coolant is usually very hot and you could get burned. Coolant levels can be viewed in an overflow bottle present in many cars. If perhaps your car has power steering, the fluid for that should also be checked on a regular basis. Check inside your owners manual to find out where it is at on your vehicle. An additional fluid to check out is the brake fluid, and locate its location in the manual also. Paint can be dissolved if you are not cautious when handling brake fluid.

The easiest fluid to examine may be the windshield wiper fluid. It is often easy to get to and you just fill it with washer fluid as it demands it, if it overflows, it can't hurt anything.