How To: Check & Correct Fluid Levels

Submitted By: Slacker


Overview

Checking the fluid levels in your vehicle is one of the easiest general maintenance procedures that can be done. It is a key element in avoiding major problems. The fluids that should be checked on a normal basis are:



Required Materials
Procedure

NOTE: When adding most fluids it may be easier to use a funnel to insure that all of the fluid makes its way into the reservoir instead of ending up on your engine and the ground.

1. Begin by checking the Radiator Coolant/Anti-Freeze and the Windshield Wiper Fluid as they are usually located next to each other. You’ll want to reference your Maintenance Manual for the correct location of all the items mentioned in this article.


2. There is no fill line on the washer fluid reservoir, so this reservoir should be filled to your discretion. It is common to fill this reservoir to the top.

3. Locate the radiator coolant/anti-freeze reservoir. It is labeled "Engine Coolant."

4. On this reservoir, look for two markings on the side that say "Fill Cold" and "Fill Hot"

5. Fill the reservoir to the line according to the engine temperature. If the engine has not been running for 2-3 hours fill to the "Fill Cold" line and, conversely, if the engine has just been running and is hot, fill to the "Fill Hot" line.

Note: Consult your owners manual for the proper fluid type.

6. The next fluid to check, and the most important one, is the engine oil. You can find the oil dipstick by looking for a T-handle that reads "Engine Oil." It should look something like this:


7. Be sure to have a rag or some paper towels handy and pull the dipstick out of the holster.

8. Wipe the end off with a paper towel.


9. Return the dipstick fully into its holster and pull it back out. Read the oil level.


10. If your oil is within the normal range then you can put the dipstick back in and be done. However, if the oil is in the range of "Add 1 Quart" then you will need to add more oil. Add small amounts while repeatedly checking the oil. If you add too much oil then you will blow your engine.

Note: Consult your owners manual for the proper oil type.

11. The next fluid to check is the Power Steering Fluid. It can be found by looking for a cap that says “Power Steering Fluid” on it.


12. The Power Steering reservoir has a fill line on it so you should only fill to that line. If your fluid level is below the fill line, then add some fluid until it is right at the line.



Note: Consult your owners manual for the proper fluid type.

13. Transmission Fluid is the next fluid level to check. The Transmission Fluid dipstick can be located by finding a T-handle, possibly yellow, that looks like this:


14. The Transmission Fluid should be checked with the engine running. The procedure for checking the transmission fluid level is identical to the step for checking the engine oil.

Note: Consult your owners manual for the proper fluid type.

15. Find the brake fluid reservoir. It looks like this:


16. Fill to the line on the side (Max) with DOT3 Brake Fluid.


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