Like us humans in the winter season, our cars need special car especially with the weather changes we have here in Chicago. I went to my local Sears Auto Care and learned a few things about all the car fluids. All of your car fluids are what really make your car work.
Coolant 101
Coolant is the fluid—usually bright green in color, but also found in orange, yellow, and red hues—that allows the 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 the vehicle’s radiator. Why use coolant instead of water? Well, water freezes. If you have frozen water in your car, that isn't going to lubricate anything and actually will probably break it! To determine if the engine needs coolant needs to be replaced, a technician will check for:
- Current mileage on vehicle
- Scheduled maintenance requirements
- Fluid contamination, sludge, rust
- Visible scaling and corrosion in the radiator
- Low coolant level
- Leaks
I could even tell this car was low on fluid! However, I always wondered how they know when you need things done like a coolant flush (we had to get one before we went to Myrtle Beach this summer). Their computers keep track of manufacture recommendations. After a certain amount of time and/or miles, certain maintenance things need to be done. They also test the coolant with these ph strips:
These tell the technician the condition of your coolant.
What’s the Deal with Differential Fluid?
The primary responsibility of the differential—which is part of what’s called the “drivetrain”—is to help evenly distribute the vehicle’s power to each wheel, accommodating for the differences in which each wheel may be turning, hence “differential”. Before my Sears trip, I didn't even know that I had differential fluid in my car! Here's what your differential looks like:
The 411 about Fuel System Cleaning
What makes up the fuel system?
- Fuel Tank
- Fuel Line
- Fuel Pump
- Fuel Filter
- Fuel Injector
- Combustion Chamber
- Spark Plug
Yes, that is lots of stuff and places for sludge to go hiding. A clean fuel system makes your car work better and more effective. During fuel system cleaning service, technician will loosen and wash away all dirt and deposits, enabling fuel to flow freely.
You can't see it, but this car had sludge in there!
Since I learned so much, I want you too to make sure that your car is ready for winter! I have a $50 Sears Gift Card for one lucky reader! Here's what you need to do:
When is the last time you checked your cars fluids?
Also, make sure to 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!
