The Ultimate Guide to Checking Your Fluids Like a Pro

Regularly checking your car and truck’s fluids is crucial for maintaining performance and preventing costly repairs. Here’s a quick guide from the techs at Car Craft in Kelowna to help you know what we do when we check these essential fluids, ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly.

Engine oil lubricates and cools your engine, making it vital for long-term performance. You can always check your oil level yourself: park your car on a level surface, let the engine cool, and use the dipstick to check the oil level. It should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks. The oil should be golden brown; dark, gritty oil indicates it’s time for a change. Call us for a maintenance checkup – we’ll check the level and amount of dirt and grime and give you a free estimate.

Coolant prevents your engine from overheating. This is a very important fluid! We will check the level by inspecting the coolant reservoir and replace as needed.

Transmission fluid ensures smooth shifting and protects your transmission. At Car Craft, with a maintenance checkup we will evaluate the transmission fluid level with the engine running and the transmission in park. We’ll also inspect the fluid’s color—bright red indicates it’s good, while dark or brown fluid means it’s time to change.

Your car’s brakes rely on hydraulic fluid to function properly. If you hear your brakes squeaking, or find they aren’t gripping, come to Car Craft. We will check the brake fluid in the reservoir—and if it’s low, you may need to add more or have your brakes inspected for leaks. Free estimates are always available – schedule your appointment today in order to avoid costly brake repairs in the future.

Low power steering fluid can cause steering issues. We will ensure the fluid is at the proper level. If it’s low, we’ll top it up, and check for leaks.