Untitled Document

Check Fluids Chart

Check once per week or
Each tank fill-up

1 - Always use clean towel
2- Easier to check in the morning before starting car.
3 - Ensure car is on level surface. Even a slight angle can throw off reading
4 - Oil must be within range but not necessarily at top of range.
5 - Carry an extra quart of oil in trunk

Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
(Red)

Every engine oil change

1 - Car must be warm, running, and in "Park" position
2 - Open hood
3 - Identify Transmission dipstick
4 - Remove and wipe clean
5 - Replace stick
6 - Remove and read reading

1 - Be sure car is running and in "P" park position
2 - Make sure vehicle is level
3 - Fluid level must be in range, but not necessarily at top of range.

Power
Steering
Fluid
(Red)

w/power steering only

1 - Turn vehicle off
2 - Identify "Power Steering" cap
3 - Unscrew cap and remove.
4 - Read level

Check owners manual for correct type of power steering fluid

Once per week
or
Each tank fill-up

Observe level on external resivour tank.

1 - NEVER remove radiator cap when engine is warm
2 - Mix anti-freeze with 50% water, unless anti-freeze is pre-mixed

Windshield
Washer
Fluid
(Blue)

Once per week or each tank fill-up

Observe level on external tank resivour

1 - Never mix water to windshield washer fluid unless using concentrated washer fluid
2 - Never accidently add anti-freeze to washer tank.

Brake Fluid
(Clearish-brown)

Under Hood (near firewall)

Observe fluid level through resivour

The brake system is a "closed" system and should never lose fluid. If you are losing fluid have your brake system checked

Clutch Fluid
(Clearish-brown)

Vehicles w/manual trans
(Most)

Under hood
(Near firewall)

Observe fluid level through resivour

1 - Does not apply to vehicles with automatic transmission.
2- Hydraulic clutch system is a closed system and should not lose fluid. If so, have it checked out.

Rear wheel dr. and 4x4 vehicles only

Under vehicle
(Front and rear axles)

1 - Remove plug from front or rear axle
2 - Check level
3 - Fluid should be level with hole for most app.

1 - Applies to rear wheel and four wheel drive vehicles only
2 - May need to lower a piece of wire or screwdriver to determine level.

Transfer Case Fluids
(Brown or Red)

AWD and 4x4 vehicles only

Under vehicle
(4x4 vehicles only)

1 - Remove fluid level plug on transfer case
2 - Check level
3 - Fluid should be level with hole for most app.

1 - Some vehicles use ATF, others use gear lube. Refer to owners manual for correct replacement fluid type

Manual
Transmisson
Gear Oil
(Brown)

Vehicles w/manual trans only

1 - Remove fluid level plug on trans
2 - Check level
3 - Fluid should be level with hole for most app.

1 - Check owners manual for the correct type of gear lube

Check Fluids Chart
Fluid Type/Color	Vehicle Type:	Check every:	Where to find:	Procedure	Tips
Engine Oil (Brown)	All	Check once per week or Each tank fill-up	Under hood	1 - Turn car off & raise hood 2 - Allow 2 min for oil to drain 3 - Identify engine oil dipstick 4 - Remove dipstick - wipe clean and replace 5 - Remove oil dipstick and observe oil level	1 - Always use clean towel 2- Easier to check in the morning before starting car. 3 - Ensure car is on level surface. Even a slight angle can throw off reading 4 - Oil must be within range but not necessarily at top of range. 5 - Carry an extra quart of oil in trunk
Automatic Transmission Fluid (Red)	w/auto trans only	Every engine oil change	Under Hood	1 - Car must be warm, running, and in "Park" position 2 - Open hood 3 - Identify Transmission dipstick 4 - Remove and wipe clean 5 - Replace stick 6 - Remove and read reading	1 - Be sure car is running and in "P" park position 2 - Make sure vehicle is level 3 - Fluid level must be in range, but not necessarily at top of range.
Power Steering Fluid (Red)	w/power steering only	Every oil change	Under Hood	1 - Turn vehicle off 2 - Identify "Power Steering" cap 3 - Unscrew cap and remove. 4 - Read level	Check owners manual for correct type of power steering fluid
Antifreeze (Green)	All	Once per week or Each tank fill-up	Under Hood	Observe level on external resivour tank.	1 - NEVER remove radiator cap when engine is warm 2 - Mix anti-freeze with 50% water, unless anti-freeze is pre-mixed
Windshield Washer Fluid (Blue)	All	Once per week or each tank fill-up	Under Hood	Observe level on external tank resivour	1 - Never mix water to windshield washer fluid unless using concentrated washer fluid 2 - Never accidently add anti-freeze to washer tank.
Brake Fluid (Clearish-brown)	All	Every oil change	Under Hood (near firewall)	Observe fluid level through resivour	The brake system is a "closed" system and should never lose fluid. If you are losing fluid have your brake system checked
Clutch Fluid (Clearish-brown)	Vehicles w/manual trans (Most)	Every oil change	Under hood (Near firewall)	Observe fluid level through resivour	1 - Does not apply to vehicles with automatic transmission. 2- Hydraulic clutch system is a closed system and should not lose fluid. If so, have it checked out.
Axle Fluid (Brown)	Rear wheel dr. and 4x4 vehicles only	Every 30,000 mi.	Under vehicle (Front and rear axles)	1 - Remove plug from front or rear axle 2 - Check level 3 - Fluid should be level with hole for most app.	1 - Applies to rear wheel and four wheel drive vehicles only 2 - May need to lower a piece of wire or screwdriver to determine level.
Transfer Case Fluids (Brown or Red)	AWD and 4x4 vehicles only	Every 30,000 mi.	Under vehicle (4x4 vehicles only)	1 - Remove fluid level plug on transfer case 2 - Check level 3 - Fluid should be level with hole for most app.	1 - Some vehicles use ATF, others use gear lube. Refer to owners manual for correct replacement fluid type
Manual Transmisson Gear Oil (Brown)	Vehicles w/manual trans only	Every 30,000 mi.	Under vehicle	1 - Remove fluid level plug on trans 2 - Check level 3 - Fluid should be level with hole for most app.	1 - Check owners manual for the correct type of gear lube