Checking Fluids

Here I will be showing you how to check engine fluids.

Step 1: Opening Hood

Today I am going to show you how to check your fluids on a vehicle. First, with the vehicle warm but off, open the hood. To do this go into the driver’s seat and pull the hood release. It is usually down by the floor or somewhere underneath the steering wheel. The hood should pop up. After that get out and walk around to the front of the hood. There should be a hidden lever just underneath that you can reach with your fingers. Slide that over and then lift up on the hood, which will expose the engine.

Step 2: Engine Oil

Now that the engine is exposed, the engine oil dipstick is going to have to be located. It is usually yellow and has the word “oil” or “engine oil” on it. Grab it and pull it out. It might take some effort to pull out or some even screw out. Towards the bottom, there should be some little x’s or lines in the dipstick and most of the time it says where the full mark is. If the oil is up to the mark, then it is good. If it isn’t up to the mark, oil should be added. The oil should be easy to tell because it will be a brown/dark brown or almost black if it needs to be changed against a silver dipstick.

Step 3: Transmission Fluid

Same concept goes for transmission fluid. That should be in the same general area as the engine oil. Grab the transmission dipstick and pull it out, the liquid should be visible but a little bit harder because it is a color against a silver dipstick. The color varies, it can be green or red or a pinkish color. If that is low oil should be added to that as well. If not, put the dipstick back in tight.

Step 4: Drive

Now that the oil has been checked the hood is ready to be closed and the vehicle is ready to be driven. Close the hood last and start the vehicle. The fluids have now been checked.