Understanding the Different Fluid Checks That Happen During an Oil Change

Are you wondering what services are included in your oil change? Besides changing your engine oil, many technicians also perform fluid checks and top-offs to ensure that your car runs smoothly. These types of fluids typically don't require replacing as much as engine oil. However, they are incredibly important components in order for your car to drive safely and efficiently.

If you're looking for a full-service appointment, you should consider our dealership in Miami for your oil change. Our technicians will also take a look at your other fluids among other checks so that you can feel confident knowing your car is in top condition. We'll explain what types of fluid checks will happen at your next oil change and why they are important to your car's overall performance. 

Why Are Oil Changes Important?

Regular oil changes are essential to your car's performance and overall health. It's recommended that you get an oil change every 3,000-6,000 miles depending on the type of oil you use. If you skip an oil change, you risk causing long-term damage to your car, loss of efficiency, and poor performance. 

How does an oil change protect your car's health? Your motor oil functions as lubrication for the inside of your engine, which prevents wear. If you don't receive regular oil changes, the parts of your engine won't have the proper lubrication to work properly, leading to friction and stress on your engine. Additionally, without oil changes, your car won't run efficiently, which affects its gas mileage and emissions.

Why is it important to get your other fluids checked during an oil change? There are a lot of other fluids that are essential to your car running smoothly. Depending on the type of fluid, dirty, low, or empty levels may have serious consequences on your vehicle. You may risk engine damage, poor efficiency, overheating, and poor driving performance. It's important to check them for your safety and your car's overall health and performance.

What Fluid Checks Will Happen During an Oil Change?

During an appointment at our dealership in Miami for your oil change, a technician will drain your oil, replace your filter, and fill it back up with fresh oil. In addition to replacing your motor oil, a full-service oil change often includes checking on your car's other fluids. Ensuring that these fluids are not running low and are not leaking is essential for your car's health and performance. 

Coolant/Antifreeze

Your technician will take a look at your car's coolant/antifreeze fluids. The antifreeze is pumped throughout your car's engine while you drive to ensure that an adequate temperature is maintained. The antifreeze ensures that your car doesn't overheat, even on warm days. It also keeps your engine warm enough to work on cold days. 

Without the antifreeze pumping through your car's engine, you'll risk your engine overheating, which is why it's vital that you maintain the correct levels of fluid. There are different types of engine coolant available. At our dealership in Miami, your oil change will be conducted by technicians who are familiar with your Honda model and can equip you with the right type of coolant.

Power Steering Fluid

Your technician will also check on your power steering fluid. This type of fluid is very important to driving. Without the proper power steering fluid levels, your car will be incredibly hard to turn. Power steering fluid works by developing a hydraulic link between the steering wheel and the front wheels, making it easy to turn the steering wheel. Like the coolant, a technician will check the power steering fluid levels and top off as needed.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluids are important to your overall driving safety. You'll find that if your brake fluids are too low, you need to press extra hard on your brakes in order to stop your car. This result can be unsafe while you're driving on the road, so you'll need to top off your brake fluid every once in a while. 

Transmission Fluid

Your car needs transmission fluid to ensure that your engine's transmission runs properly. With low transmission fluids, you'll risk transmission failure, a hard time shifting gears, overheating, and gear slipping. Your technician will check to make sure that your transmission fluids are clean and filled up. 

Windshield Cleaner Fluid

Though the windshield cleaner fluid is not quite as essential to your car's overall health and performance as the other fluids, you'll find that this type of fluid will help improve your vision while on the road. For example, if you're driving down the road and encounter something that makes a mess on your windshield, you'll need to clean it off immediately. 

The windshield cleaner fluid can be an important aid to your visibility and safety while on the road, which is why you'll need to top it off regularly. A technician can easily check this for you and add any fluids if you're running low. 

Regular oil changes are an unavoidable part of car maintenance that keeps your car in the best condition. However, a full-service appointment by technicians who are well-informed on Honda models can make the appointment simple, convenient, and comprehensive. At a full-service appointment, not only will you receive an oil change, but you will also get your fluids checked. Though these types of fluids normally don't need to be replaced as often as motor oil, they are still essential to your car running smoothly. If you're in the area, consider stopping by our location in Miami for an oil change service to ensure that your engine's fluids are properly clean and filled.