Submitted by: Brenda Williams

There was a time that when you filled your gasoline tank, a friendly, knowledgeable and efficient attendant cheerfully checked your oil, coolant, and transmission fluid. He cleaned your windshield, checked your wiper blades and sometimes even your tires. But with the advent of the self-service gas station, this person has slowly become extinct. At most stations, the only available human is the cashier whose knowledge is limited to the price of the gasoline.

Although checking fluid levels is not something you want to take your car to the repair shop to have done, it is a very important task and if neglected, can result in major maintenance problems. So it has now become something you need to do yourself. Fortunately it isn’t difficult.

To check the engine oil, first park your car on a level surface and be sure the parking brake is engaged. Wait for a while, and then raise the hood. Look for the dipstick. It normally reads, “engine oil.” Your owner’s manual should have a picture, if you have difficulty.

Pull the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. Then replace it; ensuring it goes all the way back down. Now pull the dipstick again. At the very bottom you see a series of marks and the word “full.” Your oil should be on the full mark.

Look at the color. It should be transparent. If it is black, you need an oil change immediately. When it is dark brown, you don’t need to change it right away but you will need to do so very soon. If it has the appearance of coffee laced with milk, you have a problem. Your coolant is mixing with your engine oil due to a mechanical mal-function. You need to take the car to a repair shop.

If your oil is low, you need to add more oil. Do this a little at a time, waiting for the oil to go down, and checking the dipstick after each addition. Be very careful not to overfill it as this can damage your engine.

On most cars you check your transmission fluid with the shift in park and the engine idling. However, you should first check your owner’s manual to be sure this procedure is proper for your car. The owner’s manual will also show you where the transmission dipstick is located.

Pull the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag free of lint. Then replace it ensuring that it settles all the way down into place. Pull it again and check. If your car has just been driven and is warm, the fluid will register at the upper end of the “hot” mark. If the engine is cold, then the fluid level should be within the cold marks.

If you have to add fluid, be sure you use the fluid recommended in the owner’s manual. If you don’t do this, you can damage your transmission. If adding fluid, add only a small amount, wait a few minutes and check the dipstick. Do not overfill.

To check coolant, look at your coolant overflow tank. If the level is between the “low” and “full” marks, it is okay. If it is low, pour some coolant into the overflow tank until you reach the “full” mark. Be careful not to open the coolant overflow tank or the radiator when the engine is warm. Wait for it to cool off completely.

Maintaining proper levels of all fluids is essential to prevent costly mechanical problems.

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