Car Oil, Anti-freeze, etc...

Checking Your Car Oil & Anti-freeze

• Motor Oil - check your car's manual but typically you need to change the oil (and oil filter) every 3,000 miles or after 3 months of use in your car. In between changes you need to find your oil engine "dipstick" when the car is parked on a level surface and make sure that the oil level is between the minimum and maximum levels. Your car manual should be able to show you where the dipstick is located and anything specific to your car about checking the oil level. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it with a paper towel/rag and place it back. Now you can pull the dipstick back out and read the oil level. You should check your oil 2-3 times in between changes and if you find that you are needing to replace oil consistently you should have a mechanic check the vehicle out.
• Anti-freeze/Coolant - anti-freeze protects your cars engine from overheating in the warmer months and from having your radiator from freezing up during cold months. You will usually check this level on the "coolant overflow tank" located in your engine bay. (check your manual) Your fluid level should be in-between the low and full levels marked on the tank. Check this at least every month and if you are regularly having to add coolant you should get it checked out by a mechanic.
• Brake Fluid - look in your car manual and locate where in the engine bay you check for the brake fluid level. Add fluid as necessary to keep it at the recommended level as the brake fluid is a necessary part of your braking system. When your brake fluid is low you will have a more difficult time stopping the car which could become dangerous.
• Automatic Transmission Fluid - again, check your manual for details specific to your car but...typically have the car parked on a level surface with the engine running and the transmission set to Park. Your transmission "dipstick" will likely have two areas marked - one for when the engine is cold and one for when it is hot from being run for some time. Wipe off the dipstick with a paper towel or rag and re-insert it all the way before pulling it back out to inspect. Make sure the fluid level is in the appropriate spot for the temperature of your engine.