Perhaps the most important part of owning a car is keeping up with any routine maintenance and services. As such, replenishing and flushing vehicle fluids on a regular basis is crucial to your car’s overall performance. Below, we have outlined all the fluids that need to be filled and flushed in your vehicle.
Perhaps the most important and common fluid you replenish in your vehicle is engine oil, which is important for keeping the engine lubricated. You are likely already in the habit of getting your oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every 6 months, whichever comes first. Ideally, you should also be checking your oil level and viscosity once a month.
Crucial for regulating engine heat, coolant (or antifreeze) can be checked via the radiator. It’s a good idea to check your car’s coolant twice a year—once in the winter and once in the summer. Typically, you’ll want to have it replaced every 2 to 3 years.
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Your car’s transmission fluid has a very important job—keeping your gears running smoothly. Both the fluid quality and level are crucial, though the level should stay consistent (unless, of course, there is a more serious issue). Depending on your vehicle and transmission type, this fluid should be replenished every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
The main purpose of brake fluid is to keep your vehicle’s brakes running properly. So, if there is ever something “off” about your brakes, this is probably the first thing that will be checked. The brake fluid level and quality should be checked every time you get an oil change and replaced about every 2 years.
If you enjoy smooth, easy steering, then you’ll want to be sure your power steering fluid is at an appropriate level. It doesn’t usually get too low, however, so if you notice it drop quite a bit, there may be a bigger issue. While it’s important to check the power steering fluid level, you may never need to flush it—just top it off whenever needed.
Although not as important as the other five fluids, it is still crucial to make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid. You don’t want to get caught with a dirty windshield and no way to clean it off, so be sure to check and your wiper fluid every few months and top it off as needed.
Read more: How often should you replace your windshield wipers?
If you would like to have a professional fill or flush any of the fluids in your vehicle, feel free to schedule a service appointment with our team at Toyota Vacaville.