Proper Fluids For Your Car

The Westerville Automotive Guide to Proper Fluids

Oct 16th, 2017

If you've walked through the automotive fluids section of your favorite Westerville auto parts store, you'll know how overwhelming the sheer number of products available can be. How can drivers know what's right for their vehicle?

As you know, these fluids all serve a function in making your car run. Your vehicle has specified a particular type of fluid for every system, from the motor to the cooling system, brake fluid and so on. When you realize that not every variation is applicable to your vehicle, the task becomes more difficult.

First let's talk about why there are so many varieties. Starting with motor oil, we see some that match the properties of a particular weight or type of oil with the design needs of the engine. For example, engines with sophisticated valve trains often require a thinner weight of oil.

Some vehicles come from the factory filled with synthetic oil and the recommendation to use it for life. The safe bet for drivers is to always use what the manufacturer recommends. The recommendation is what's been proven to work in function and durability tests. The recommended oil is also a factor in determining oil change interval schedules.

A good quality oil has more additives that are engineered to clean and protect the engine. They cost a bit more, but are worth the extra protection. If you buy budget oil, you might want to consider shortening your oil change interval.

Sometimes fluids are developed specifically to meet the needs of a particular family of engines. An example would be coolant. Because of the different materials used to build the cooling system, the coolant has to be formulated to protect those parts, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, from corrosion. We've seen special coolant for General Motors, Volkswagen, Chrysler and others.

The same is true of transmission fluid and brake fluid in recent years. The really good news is that Westerville Automotive has databases that tell us the recommended fluids for your vehicle. This takes all the guess work out of it. If you have some special needs, like a higher mileage engine or want enhanced performance, ask your friendly and knowledgeable Westerville Automotive service advisor for upgrades or additives that'll meet your needs while being consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Of course, your full-service oil change will top off your fluids. But it's a good idea to have some of everything at home in case you need to top something off yourself or to take on a trip. Ask your friendly and knowledgeable Westerville Automotive service advisor or check your owner's manual for fluid specifications.

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