Car Maitenance|Checking Fluid Levels

Okay for our first check under the hood let's start with checking all the fluids and what purpose they serve.

For this we will want the car parked on a level surface.
Make sure the engine is off and the keys are removed.
It will be best for this if the car is cool as you run a risk of getting burned by fluids if the car has not been off for a period of time.
Caution !!! Never remove a radiator cap from a Hot Engine Radiator.

Let's start with the engine oil level.

Remove the dipstick ,wipe it clean, at this time note the marks on the end of the dipstick ,they are used to indicate oil level , re-insert it , remove again and observe the level mark as indicated by the stick.
If the oil level is low it is best to use the same brand of oil that is already being used in the engine.If you are unsure of what was put in the engine at last oil change, go with a good quality brand that is the weight specified by the engine manufacturer.

Power Steering Fluid

Remove the cap from the power steering reservoir, wipe the dipstick clean, re-insert it into the reservoir, remove it again and note the level as indicated on the dipstick. If any fluid is needed to bring it up to the full mark, add the proper fluid as specified by your car manufacturer.

Brake Fluid

Most manufactures are now using clear tanks for the brake fluid reservoir allowing you to see the fluid level without having to remove the cap. If you have a clear reservoir you should be able to see the fluid level through the tank and note the level by the indicators marked on the side of the reservoir. If yours is not of the clear design removing the cap is the only way to determine if you need to add fluid.If you need to add fluid to bring it up to proper level be sure to use a D.O.T approved fluid that meets the specifications of the car manufacturer .
Use care not to get any brake fluid on painted or plastic surfaces as it may cause damage or discoloration.

Windshield Washer Fluid

Again these are mostly clear bottles that you can readily see the level of through the side of the container. If it is low add washer fluid according to the directions provided on the brand of fluid you purchased (some can be used full strength ,some require diluting).
Double check that you are adding this to the washer fluid reservoir and not the engine coolant reservoir.

Engine Coolant Level (Radiator)

Warning!!!! Never remove the radiator cap from a hot cooling system....
Most new cars have an overflow bottle on the cooling system, usually of a clear design that can be readily determined if the coolant is low. This system is not fool proof , I always like to remove the radiator cap and visually check the coolant level from inside the radiator. If the coolant is low add the proper anti-freeze coolant solution to bring it up to proper level and re-install the radiator cap firmly. Be sure to use a coolant mixture specified by the manufacture as a lot of new cars use special coolant designed to prevent rust and corrosion and older anti-freeze mixtures may cause damage.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

This should be our last fluid check from under the hood and it will require that we start the engine.

1. Firmly set the parking brake
2. Make sure gear selector is in park
3. Start the engine
4. Remove the transmission dipstick
5. Wipe it clean and note the indicator marks at the end of the stick
6. Re-insert dipstick firmly
   
7. Remove dipstick and note oil level on the stick according to the indicator marks
8. If fluid level is low add the proper automatic transmission fluid through the dipstick tube to bring up to proper level. (this is achieved with a funnel placed in the opening of the tube that you removed the dipstick from and adding oil directly through the tube)

note- after adding fluid it may take a few minutes to get a proper reading from the dipstick as all the oil has to make its way out of the dipstick tube and into the transmission.