Your vehicle relies on several different fluids to get you where you want to go. You might check on these fluids regularly or leave the job to a mechanic, but have you ever wondered what they do? We explain what the most common car fluids are and how they help your vehicle every day.

Most Common Car Fluids

The following are the most common car fluids across all makes and models:

• Fuel: A fluid that's either gasoline, ethanol, or diesel and used by every vehicle except fully electric cars.
• Engine oil: A lubricant that moves through the engine of every vehicle except fully electric models.
• Engine coolant: A mix of antifreeze and water that's essential for the cooling systems of water-cooled cars.
• Brake fluid: A glycol-based fluid used by the braking system and the hydraulic clutch systems found in some vehicles with manual transmissions.
• Transmission fluid: A lubricant that moves through automatic and manual transmission systems.
• Windshield washer fluid: A fluid used by the windshield wipers.
• Differential fluid: A lubricant for rear- and four-wheel drive vehicles.
• Power steering fluid: A fluid for vehicles with hydraulic power steering systems.
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What the Different Fluids in Your Car Do

Your vehicle's fluids typically lubricate its moving components, keep systems cool, and provide pressure for hydraulic systems, and each specific fluid has a certain role to perform.

Fuel

Fuel is an umbrella term for liquids such as gasoline, ethanol, and diesel, which are used in most vehicles to keep them in motion. When you put your foot on the gas pedal, a fuel pump typically moves fuel from the tank down the fuel line into the combustion chamber, where it mixes with air. A spark plug creates a spark that powers the combustion engine and makes the vehicle move. Most vehicles rely on fuel to move.

Engine Oil

Engine oil moves through the engines of most vehicles to lubricate their moving parts and keep the whole system cool. If engine oil becomes dirty or the levels fall too low, the components will grind together and overheat. This can cause engine damage or even total engine failure. Changing the engine oil according to the manufacturer's schedule can prevent these problems.

Engine Coolant

Water-cooled cars use engine coolant, a mix of antifreeze and water, to absorb the heat of the engine and move it through the radiator. Coolant also moves around the battery packs of hybrid and electric vehicles to take heat away from these sensitive and important components. The terms antifreeze and coolant are often used interchangeably, but they're a little different. Antifreeze is a pure fluid, while coolant is a mix of antifreeze and water. A 50/50 mix works in most climates, although people in cold areas may have as much as 70% antifreeze in their coolants to prevent freezing.

Engine coolant doesn't need changing as often as engine oil, but it will need changing periodically to work efficiently. You also need to check the levels regularly to ensure the engine has enough coolant to run safely. Too little engine coolant causes overheating, which may kill the head gasket or the entire engine.

Brake Fluid

When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, brake fluid moves this force down to the braking components of your wheels to effectively slow or stop your vehicle. Manual vehicles with hydraulic clutch systems also use brake fluid to transfer force when you apply the clutch to the clutch slave cylinder or hydraulic release bearing, sometimes called a throw-out bearing. Some manufacturers sell a separate clutch fluid, but this is essentially brake fluid marketed under a different name.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts of the transmission system and keeps them cool. In manual vehicles, transmission fluid lubricates the faces of the transmission gears to reduce wear and tear. In automatic vehicles, transmission fluids are both lubricants and hydraulic fluids that help the advanced computers work. Some transmission systems use fluid that needs changing regularly, while others only need changing if they become contaminated by dirt or debris.

Windshield Washer Fluid

Windshield washer fluid is typically a blend of chemicals designed to clean your windshield. The fluid moves from the fluid reservoir to the windshield whenever needed. You can then move the washer fluid away using the windshield wipers for a cleaner windshield and improved visibility. Keeping enough windshield washer fluid in the reservoir is every bit as important as replacing your windshield wipers regularly to maintain clear vision behind the wheel.

Differential Fluid

Rear- and four-wheel-drive vehicles have differentials that aren't part of the transmission systems, so they need different fluids to lubricate and cool their bearings and gears. This fluid works like transmission fluid and engine oil, moving through the system to coat its components. Unlike transmission fluid, differential fluid always needs changing at regular intervals.

Power Steering Fluid

Vehicles with hydraulic power steering systems, as opposed to electric systems, need power steering fluid. This fluid moves through the power steering system down to the steering rack to make moving the vehicle easier. There's no set interval for replacing power steering fluid, but it's important to check it regularly to make sure it's not discolored or contaminated.

You're probably used to checking that you've got enough fuel to arrive at your destination, but what about the other fluids? If you don't give them a second thought, you can't feel confident that they'll help your vehicle operate effectively. It's important to regularly check your vehicle's fluid levels and ensure there's no contamination. Some fluids need replacing periodically to keep your car working.

Get Your Fluids Checked Today

Remembering to check and replace your car fluids according to the manufacturer's schedule can be challenging, so why not let us take care of the work? Talk to our expert technicians about the right service schedule for your vehicle. We'll check all the essential fluids and replace them as necessary for total peace of mind. Remember to check our website for special coupons that can help you save on common maintenance tasks, such as oil changes. They're just another way we reward our loyal customers at Mercedes-Benz of Temecula.

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