It’s no secret that vehicles need a lot of maintenance to run smoothly. Since there are so many different moving parts inside a typical vehicle, parts that aren’t maintained properly will fail. In order of importance, an oil change is at the top of the list.
Without regular oil changes, a vehicle’s engine won’t last anywhere near as long as it should. Oil changes are important, but other parts of the vehicle also require maintenance. When performing an oil change, there are five other factors that should be checked.
Transmission Fluid
Something that many vehicles forget to check is the transmission fluid. Since virtually every vehicle on the road has a transmission, maintenance for this crucial component should be discussed more often, but most people only remember to change the oil.
The transmission fluid should never be low because it’s part of a closed system. While getting or performing an oil change, the transmission fluid should be checked and topped off.
Coolant
Another factor to check during an oil change is the coolant. The importance of maintaining a proper coolant level is frequently underestimated. When the coolant level drops too low, it can cause the engine to overheat, which can permanently kill the engine.
Unfortunately, some people have had to learn this lesson the hard way. Coolant should only be checked when the engine is completely cool. If the coolant is low, it should be topped off with the applicable coolant type.
Brake Fluid
During an oil change, the brake fluid should also be checked. Like the transmission fluid, brake fluid sits inside of a closed system, so it should never be low. If brake fluid is low, it should be topped off, but the system should also be checked for leaks. Brown brake fluid should be replaced about every two years.
Power Steering Fluid
Although it’s not nearly as important as the other fluids, power steering fluid should be checked during an oil change. The purpose of this fluid is to make steering your vehicle easy and smooth.
If power steering fluid is low, it’s not uncommon to hear the car making creaking sounds when the wheel is turned. This type of fluid is just like brake fluid, so it shouldn’t drop too much. If the fluid level is low, it should be topped off.
Tire Pressure
A lot of people don’t give proper tire pressure the respect it deserves. When tires aren’t properly inflated, they can reduce fuel economy and cause several other problems. The air pressure in all four tires can be quickly checked during an oil change.
It’s also a good idea to make sure the oil filter is changed. These are five importance factors to check during an oil change, and every factor is extremely important to make the vehicle run as long and smoothly as possible.