How To Check The 6 Essential Fluids In Your Car

Brake fluid check
 

Knowing how and when to check car fluids—like brake fluid, transmission fluid, and motor oil—is crucial for the long-term health of your vehicle. Essential car fluids have a wide range of important jobs, from regulating engine temperature to keeping your windshield streak-free. We recommend that you keep an eye on these six:

  • Engine oil
  • Brake fluid
  • Engine coolant
  • Transmission fluid
  • Power steering fluid
  • Windshield wiper fluid

 

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This guide from the Randall Ford service team covers what every driver in Poteau, OK or Greenwood, Ar should know about when and how to check these essential car fluids and why it’s important to do so.

How To Check Essential Fluids In Your Car

All six of these essential car fluids should be checked regularly and replaced as needed or at intervals recommended by your manufacturer. Let’s take a closer look at how and when to check car fluids like windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, motor oil, and engine coolant. 

Note: Before checking the level of an essential car fluid (except transmission fluid), wait until the engine has cooled for at least 30 minutes before opening the hood. 

Motor Oil

  • Purpose of motor oil: Prevents friction between engine parts and regulates engine temperature.
  • When to change motor oil: Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or every 6 months, whichever comes first, if you use synthetic oil.
  • How to check motor oil: Find the dipstick under the hood. Insert it into the oil reservoir and check the oil level and consistency.

Brake Fluid

  • Purpose of brake fluid: Transfers movement and force from the brake pedal to the braking system.
  • How often to replace brake fluid: Every 30,000 miles or 2 years. 
  • How to check brake fluid: The fluid level should reach the marking on the side of the clear brake fluid reservoir in the engine compartment. 

Engine Coolant

  • Purpose of engine coolant: Optimizes temperature in your vehicle’s cooling system and engine.
  • When to replace engine coolant: Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
  • How to check engine coolant: The fluid level should reach the marking on the side of the engine coolant reservoir underneath your car’s hood. However, coolant can deteriorate over time, so even if tests show that your coolant is still adequate and you have enough of it, you may still want to replace it. 

Transmission Fluid

  • Purpose of transmission fluid: Lubricates the moving parts in your transmission to ensure fast and smooth gear shifts. Manual and automatic transmissions use different types of transmission fluids. 
  • How often to replace transmission fluid (for cars with automatic transmission): Every 30,000 to 100,000 miles. Some vehicles now come with “lifetime fluid” that purportedly doesn’t need to be replaced, but considering how expensive it is to replace your transmission, flushing and changing the transmission fluid every so often is a small price to pay. 
  • How to check transmission fluid (for cars with automatic transmission): Remove and re-insert the transmission fluid dipstick into the reservoir. Pull it out and observe the level of fluid. Check that the fluid color is translucent dark red. If your car has a sealed transmission, bring it to a Van Buren, Ar-area service center to get inspected.

Power Steering Fluid

  • Purpose of power steering fluid: Ensures proper function of the power steering hydraulic system, which multiplies the force you exert on your steering wheel.
  • When to replace power steering fluid: As needed, when your vehicle becomes difficult to steer, you hear a whining noise from the power steering pump, or the power steering system needs frequent service. Generally, it is recommended that you change the power steering fluid in your car every 4 years or 50,000 miles. 
  • How to check power steering fluid:Find the reservoir under your car’s hood marked with a steering wheel or the words ‘power steering fluid,’ or it might be a steering wheel symbol. Make sure the fluid reaches the marked level.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

  • Purpose of windshield wiper fluid: Increases the efficacy of your windshield wipers for clearer glass.
  • When to replace windshield wiper fluid: As needed, when no fluid comes out of the sprayers on your windshield.
  • How to check windshield wiper fluid: Open the hood and find the reservoir with a windshield washer symbol on the cap.

Learn More About Essential Car Fluids With Randall Ford

If you have questions about how to check essential fluids in your car or other DIY car care topics, we’re happy to help! Contact our service center to speak with a technician today. Looking to buy high-quality new windshield wiper fluid or brake fluid near Sallisaw, OK? Order parts, accessories, and auto maintenance supplies online or make your purchase at our service center in Fort Smith.

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Get an $80 instant discount when you buy four select Pirelli tires.*

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Expires: 09/30/2026

Get up to a $100 rebate when you buy four select tires.*

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Submit rebate online or by mail.

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Ford Employees and Retirees - Get four $50 instant service discounts to use or share.*

Eligible Services Include: The Works® Package, Tires, Brakes, Batteries, and More!

*Active U.S. Ford Employees and Retirees only. Generate up to 4 PINs at FordServiceDiscount.com from 4/15/26-12/31/26 for personal use or to share. Limit 1 PIN per VIN. Receive a $50 instant discount on eligible maintenance services with a minimum $100 customer-pay repair order. Eligible services include oil changes, The Works®, brakes, batteries, tires, wipers, and filters. Requires purchase and installation of genuine Ford/Motorcraft® Parts or select name-brand tires. Valid only on Ford and Lincoln vehicles at a participating U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® Store. Present PIN at write-up; prior authorization required. PINs expire 60 days after generation. See Service Advisor for full details through 12/31/26. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Quick Lane®, Motorcraft®, and The Works® are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.
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Military and First Responders - Receive an $80 instant discount with purchase and installation of four select tires.*

On these name brands: Goodyear®, Michelin, BFGoodrich®, Continental, General, Pirelli, Hankook, Bridgestone, Falken, and Toyo®.

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The Works® Package Synthetic Blend Oil Change and More*

• Tire Rotation and Pressure Check
• Brake Inspection
• Vehicle Checkup
• Fluid Top-Off
• Battery Test
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• Belts and Hoses Check

*Includes up to 6 quarts of Motorcraft® oil and Motorcraft oil filter. Excludes hybrid battery test. See Service Advisor for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company.
Expires: 12/31/2026

Lifetime Brake Pad Guarantee*

*Available for Motorcraft® brake pads purchased after 7/1/14. Nontransferable. Requires copy of original repair order and completion of any necessary brake service (e.g., rotor service). Pads must be installed by a U.S. Ford Dealer, Lincoln Dealer, or Quick Lane® technician. Covers pads only; labor costs excluded. Excludes commercial delivery, taxi, limousine, postal, police, tow, racing, and emergency vehicles. See Service Advisor for details. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. Quick Lane® and Motorcraft® are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company.
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Complimentary Brake Inspection*

Performed by an expert technician.

*Inspect brake friction material, caliper operation, rotors, drums, hoses, and connections. Inspect parking brake for damage and proper operation. See participating U.S. dealer for details. Ford reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue this program at any time.
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Expires: 09/30/2026

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*Must have a Ford Rewards membership within 60 days of service invoice date to receive Ford Rewards Points. Points have no cash value; see FordRewards.com for terms, including Points expiration. Ford may change or discontinue this program at any time. **Limitations apply. Earn Points for the purchase of Ford, Motorcraft®, or Omnicraft™ Parts and associated labor at participating Ford Dealers. See FordRewards.com for terms and FAQ. Motorcraft® and Omnicraft™ are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. †The Ford app, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply. Visit Ford.com for privacy notice.
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When you need service, your dealer will pick up your vehicle, service it at the dealership, and deliver it back to you. It's complimentary and available at participating dealers.*

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Let your dealer come to you at your home or office to perform routine vehicle maintenance there on the spot. It's complimentary and available at participating dealers.*

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Main: 479-324-4547 Parts: 479-324-5697 Sales: 479-452-1311 Service: 479-452-1311
Randall Ford 35.362191, -094.371465.