Checking your car's fluid levels is one of the quickest ways to stay ahead of problems. It requires no tools, takes about five minutes, and tells you whether everything is in order or something needs attention. Here's how to do it.
Park on level ground
Fluid dipsticks and reservoirs provide accurate readings when the car is sitting flat. A hill will skew what you see.
Let the engine cool slightly
Hot coolant is under pressure. Opening the radiator cap on a hot engine can cause serious burns. Five to ten minutes of cool-down time is all you need for most checks.
Engine oil
Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean on a shop towel or paper towel, reinsert it fully, and pull again. Read the level against the MIN and MAX marks. Check the color — fresh oil is amber. Dark brown is for normal use. Black and gritty means it's overdue. Milky or foamy means coolant contamination — don't drive if you see this.
Coolant
Most modern vehicles have a translucent coolant overflow reservoir with MIN and MAX marks you can read without opening anything. Just look. If it's below MIN, add the correct coolant type (your owner's manual specifies it). Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine.
Brake fluid
The brake fluid reservoir is typically located on top of the master cylinder under the hood, and it is usually translucent. Check the level against the MIN/MAX marks. Brake fluid naturally drops slightly as pads wear — this is normal. A sudden drop in brake fluid level indicates a leak somewhere in the system.
Power steering fluid (if equipped)
Electric power steering (most modern cars) doesn't use fluid. Hydraulic power steering systems have a reservoir with a dipstick or translucent body. Check it the same way as coolant.
Windshield washer fluid
The easiest one. Pop the cap and fill it up if it's low. Use a winter-rated fluid in fall and winter — summer fluid freezes.
What to do with what you find
Low oil or coolant levels need to be addressed. If they've dropped significantly between checks, that's worth investigating — fluids don't just disappear. They leak or they're consumed, and either has a cause worth finding.
At ProAuto, we check all of this during every service visit.
ProAuto | 6100 W Dempster St, Morton Grove, IL 60053 | (847) 232-7777
