We’re going to just add the liquids in your cars to the list of things I never paid much attention to. Except for wiper fluid and gas, of course. Those I pay attention to. (My husband tells me I have used more wiper fluid since he’s met me than most people use in a lifetime. I’m a little obsessive about it, I suppose). But there are many fluids in your vehicle and really? They are kind of a BIG DEAL and we should be paying attention to them. There is a LOT you should know about fluid for your car. Um… that we should know.
Of course, Sears Auto Center has a lot more they do with the fluids in our vehicles. Its been kind of fun learning about all of this for the Sears Auto Center Road Warriors Program. Yes, I did just say kind of fun. It’s also been really eye opening. Not paying attention to your vehicle can cost you – a lot- and worse.
Did you know?
Most folks call it antifreeze in the winter and coolant in the summer, but regardless of season does same job. Coolant, antifreeze, it’s the same thing. The purpose of it is to redistribute heat away from the engine. It’s kind of ESSENTIAL. It’s often that bright limey-yellow stuff that you sometimes see leaking on your driveway. (You don’t want that). Coolant/antifreeze is like the starting captain on your team, and you don’t want your captain sidelined for injury.
Coolant is the fluid—usually bright green in color, but also found in orange, yellow, and red hues—that allows your engine to maintain its optimal temperature by redistributing heat away from the engine through the cooling system. This is accomplished by circulating the coolant from the engine and through your vehicle’s radiator.
You may ask: why does my vehicle need special fluid for this? Couldn’t a jug of water do the same thing? NO!! While water is one of the most effective fluids for holding heat, water freezes making it a terrible long-term solution in colder temperatures. To combat the cold, your vehicle most likely requires a 50/50 mix of water and ethylene glycol—giving us the term “antifreeze”.
In addition to lowering the temperature at which the fluid in your radiator will freeze, ethylene glycol improves the temperature at which the fluid in your car or truck will boil—hence the term “coolant”.
Along with keeping your car from freezing in the winter, and your truck from overheating in the summer, your coolant acts as a lubricant for every moving part it touches, including the water pump, which pushes fluid through the engine, cylinder head and radiator. If that wasn’t enough, most coolant contains some type of additives to help prevent costly corrosion within the radiator.
Check your owners manual to find when they suggest regular change of coolant. Old coolant can wreak havoc on your vehicle just as too little can.
Coolant isn’t the only key player on your car’s team. There’s also Transmission Fluid.This, you check like you do your oil, with a dipstick.
Transmission Fluid is a slippery liquid that coats all of the moving parts inside your transmission, transmission fluid is designed to cool and lubricate your transmissions internal parts so the gears can shift smoothly without tearing them to shreds. I actually got to see a transmission fluid changed on a 2008 Dodge something or other pickup truck. (I am mortified that I didn’t even ask what kind of truck. Do I get points for noticing it was Dodge?) Fun fact: different vehicle manufacturers use different colors for the fluid they use.
Technicians extract old transmission fluid through the vehicle’s dipstick which removes up to 90 percent of the old contaminated fluid. This is kind of gross, but fascinating. Well, interesting at least. When you pay attention you can see the stuff coming up through the hose with the fluid…. and you realize, that can’t be good for my vehicle. Transmission fluid doesn’t need constant attention- manual transmissions need it checked about every 30-60ooo miles and for an automatic transmission, 60-100000 miles. Both the techs I spoke with at my local Sears Auto Center told me that they’d not let their vehicles go to 100,000 miles- I don’t think I would either. I don’t know that I want to let things slide with my vehicles. There’s a lot riding on them.
This machine must make life so much easier for the technicians who are working to change our engine fluids and help keep our vehicles safe. They can be more time efficient and also more exact. Once the techs have checked the dipstick, they insert the extraction hose from this machine (TFE6020) and it pulls out about 90% of the old fluid. Once the old is out, they can switch to the hose that puts new fluid into the transmission…the machine alerts the tech to start the car, and the tech will go through each gear on the vehicle. This way, the tech can be sure that the old fluid is flushed out and the new fluid gets everywhere it needs to be.
Once things are done, the tech checks to be sure the dipstick is reading at the correct level and there it is, a changed transmission fluid.
Keep an eye on the Sears Auto Facebook page and website during the 12 Days of Car Care promotion from 12/13-12/24, where there will be exclusive deals on Road Handler tires and Valvoline oil changes.
One reader will win a $50 Sears Gift Card!
Thank to Sears Auto Center for sponsoring today’s discussion.
janetfaye says
I learned:
Irregular tread wear: the result of a variety of things, including misalignment, worn shocks or struts, over- or under-inflation of tires, and more.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
David Fultner says
I learned you can get your battery checked out for free
Kristen says
The fluids that keep your differential running can be the difference between a smooth and safe ride.
JANICE MURPHY says
I learn Keep your battery’s terminals clean with anti-corrosion spray,Learn how the chassis, hydraulic fluid, shocks and struts work together as your vehicle’s suspension system to keep your ride smooth and safe.The experts at Sears Auto Center stress how important it is to have proper tire inflation. Not only does it improve handling during slick conditions, but you’ll enjoy better gas mileage.
Karen Mead says
A battery lasts 3-5 years
Donna Kellogg says
Preventive maintenance is effective in improving fuel efficiency & avoiding repairs.
Breanne says
I learned manual transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Lisa Garner says
I learned transmission fluid needs to be checked every 30000-60000 miles.
Hesper Fry says
I learned that special windshield wipers with protective blade covers really do make a difference when the snow falls.
Christina Sparks says
You should check your alignment every 12000 miles or after certain services.
alicia szemon says
I learned a lot about tires and which i should choose during each season(:
kathy dalton says
Checking your transmission fluid on a regular basis is important, just like checking your oil.
steve weber says
I learned the major differences between coolant and anti-freeze.
AUTUMNN GRACE says
ALWAYS check owners manual to see what product name recommended ….
shirley says
I learned I need to get my transmission fluid checked, I can’t remember if or where it was checked last.
Caroline Wampler says
I learned that there are All-season tires: Tires made for a variety of road conditions.
Nicole Dz says
I learned that Technicians extract old transmission fluid through the vehicle’s dipstick which removes up to 90 percent of the old contaminated fluid
Natalie says
I learned a sign of tire wear is: Bulges or blisters that extends outward from the rest of the surface
Tiffany (A Mom's Take) says
I once broke my car because I didn’t know the importance of keeping fluids in it. Lesson learned, for sure.
David Fultner says
Get pro help when working with A?C.
Karen N. says
I had no idea coolant and anti-freeze were the same thing! Thanks
mykidsguide says
What a good post, that $50 gift card sounds great!
Whitney @ It's Gravy, Baby! says
My dad was a mechanic, a drag racer, and totally into cars so I feel like I should know more about all of this than I truly do. It’s cool to see the hows and why, ins and outs!
Liz Mays says
Wow I didn’t know all of this. I learned a lot from this post!
Stacey - Travel Blogger says
Antifreeze is something that so important to the life of your car. It’s definitely not something you want to forget about checking often.
Melissa Pezza says
I love posts like this that teach me things I’d normally never seek out on my own. This was a great read!
Amy says
Great to know there are so many places to help service my car. I could certainly use that $50 gift card!
Dawn says
Well first I learned all about tires from you, and now I’m learning about coolant. Pretty soon, my husband is just going to be arm candy!
Kathleen says
Whoa, talk about an informative post! I knew they were the same thing and just had that interchangeable name, but it really is neat to see how it works and why.
Cathy @ Our Mini Family says
I genuinely had no idea coolant was the same as anti-freeze! That makes so much more sense now though!! Great info!