Have you heard the phrase, “Motion is lotion”? We first heard it from a physical therapist, believe it or not. The idea behind it is when you move around and get into motion, your muscles stretch and contract, your blood gets pumping, and your deeper breaths oxygenate your organs. Thus, motion truly lubricates your body when you get your fluids pumping.
But what if we told you the same goes for your car? When you start your engine, the fluids start pumping, your battery gets recharged, and all of the systems in your vehicle become activated as you start driving down the road. Motion is lotion for your car, and those fluids pumping through the entire mechanical system help to keep your vehicle operating reliably.
That's why fluids matter.
Most people only assume the oil needs to be changed. But there are so many more fluids flowing through a vehicle. The fluids in most gas-powered vehicles include the following:
- Air Conditioning Coolant
- Brake Fluid
- Oil
- Power Steering Fluid
- Radiator Fluid
- Transmission Fluid
- Windshield Wiper Fluid
Air conditioning coolant is the refrigerant your vehicle uses to keep the cabin cool during the heat of June. If your A/C system is blowing hot, it’s time for an air conditioning coolant recharge.
Brake fluid is the hydraulic fluid that’s necessary to move the various components within your braking system. Without it, your vehicle will not be able to stop.
Oil is the one everyone is most familiar with, for it lubricates the engine and reduces friction and wear. You’ll know when you’re running low on oil when you hear a “tick, tick, tick” sound coming from your engine, or your dash lights indicate that your oil pressure is low. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing oil around every 5000 miles.
Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid needed to allow your steering wheel to turn easily. If you’ve ever driven a vehicle without power steering, you tend to work harder and your muscles may feel like you’ve been at the gym. Power steering fluid keeps your steering wheel moving smoothly and with less effort.
Radiator fluid is an antifreeze coolant that helps regulate the temperature of your engine. Without it, your engine can overheat and suffer catastrophic damage. You never want your engine to be without radiator fluid.
Transmission fluid is what’s needed to allow your gears to shift, keep your transmission cool, and lubricate a whole lot of moving parts. Some transmissions
Windshield wiper fluid is the fluid most of us see and use on a regular basis. If your windshield is covered in dust, pollen, bugs, dirt, and debris, you’ll need windshield wiper fluid to clear the glass for better visibility.
As you can see, fluids matter, and we will be happy to inspect your vehicle’s fluids the next time you schedule an appointment for service. After all, motion is lotion, and your car will operate better when you give it some exercise.
At Rusty's Garage, our number one priority is you. Regular maintenance and fluid exchanges will significantly minimize your risk of a breakdown while driving your vehicle. Our team looks forward to working with you! Schedule your appointment today. We're located at 25143 Melda Road, Building B, in Spring, TX, 77380, and are open from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday.