Automobile Fluids For Your Vehicle

If you’ve walked through the automotive fluids of an auto parts store in Poway , you’ll know how overwhelming the sheer number of products available can be. How do you know what’s right for your vehicle?

As you know, these fluids all serve a function in making your car run as you drive around the Poway area. Your vehicle manufacturer has specified a particular type of fluid for every system from the motor, to the cooling system, brake fluid and so on. When you realize that not every variation is applicable to your vehicle, the task becomes more manageable.

First let’s talk about why there are so many varieties. Starting with motor oil, we see that manufacturers match the properties of a particular weight or type of oil with the design needs of the engine. For example, engines with sophisticated valve trains often require a thinner weight of oil.

Some vehicles around Poway come from the factory filled with synthetic oil and the recommendation to use it for life. The safe bet is to always use what the factory recommends. The recommendation is what’s been proven to work in function and durability tests. The recommended oil is also a factor in determining oil change interval schedules.

A good quality oil has more additives that are engineered to clean and protect the engine. They cost a bit more, but are worth the extra protection. If you buy budget oil, you might want to consider shortening your oil change interval.

Sometimes fluids are developed specifically to meet the needs of a particular family of engines. An example would be coolant. Because of the different materials used to build the cooling system, the coolant has to be formulated to protect those parts, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, from corrosion. We’ve seen special coolant in Poway for General Motors, Volkswagen, Chrysler and others.

The same is true of transmission fluid and brake fluid in recent years.

The really good news is that your Poway service center has databases that tell them the recommended fluids for your vehicle. This takes all the guess work out. If you have some special needs, like a higher mileage engine or want enhanced performance, ask your service advisor for upgrades or additives that’ll meet your needs while being consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Of course, your full-service oil change will top off your fluids. But it’s a good idea to have some of everything at home in case you need to top something off yourself or to take on a trip. Ask your Poway service advisor at Poway Auto Repair or check your owner’s manual for fluid specifications.

It’s important to know that there are national warranty laws that say that a manufacturer cannot require you to use their brand of fluid to maintain your warranty. That said, there are two things that may affect your warranty.

Using the wrong type of fluid may void the warranty. Going back to radiator coolant, the correct type protects against corrosion and the wrong type will not. So it’s important to be right.

Also some warranty protections are conditioned on taking care of scheduled preventive maintenance. Please review your warranty if you have questions.

The Right Automotive Fluids For Poway Drivers

All those automotive fluids can be confusing for Poway auto owners. Recent years have brought new grades of engine oil, types of transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid. The right fluid protects your vehicle and helps it perform at its best. The wrong fluid won’t work as well for Poway car owners and could even cause damage.

In addition to new grades of engine oil, many Vehicle s now leave the factory with synthetic oil. Poway drivers should always use the grade recommended by their automobile manufacturer  and type of oil in their engine.

All coolant, also called antifreeze, used to be green. Now there are several other colors of coolant sold at Poway Auto Repair in Poway. Each type is designed to protect the cooling system components that are particular to your vehicle. The wrong stuff can void your Vehicle cooling system warranty and could even cause engine damage.

Most passenger vehicles on Poway roads today use either DOT 3, DOT 4 or DOT 5 brake fluid. Your Vehicle power brake system is specifically designed to use ONE of these types – you need the right one. Higher numbers do not necessarily mean a higher, upgraded fluid.

Now, the important thing is knowing that your vehicle requires specific grades and types of fluids and that using the right fluids is good and using the wrong ones is bad. Once you’ve got that down, it’s easy to remember to check with your Friendly Poway Auto Repair service specialist or Vehicle owner’s manual to find out which automotive fluids to use.

Give us a call

Poway Auto Repair
(858) 748-0561
13907 Poway Rd Suite A
Poway, California 92064
http://powayautorepair.com/

The Poway Auto Repair Guide to Proper Fluids for Your Vehicle

The automotive professionals at Poway Auto Repair would like to give Poway car owners an update on some of the things happening in automotive fluids. You know, cars are becoming more sophisticated everyday – and fluids such as, oil, coolant and transmission fluid are becoming more specialized at about the same pace.

The Poway do-it-yourselfer has to be pretty careful so that they do not actually harm their Vehicle with the wrong type of fluid. That is why so many California car owners rely on the advice of their Friendly Poway Auto Repair tech to not only get the correct family of fluids, but to suggest the formulation that is best for their car and their driving habits in the Poway area.

Let’s start with engine oil. Poway auto owners who have been paying attention, will have noticed a number of new oil weights on the California scene in the last several years. Modern engines are built to much tighter tolerances and have very complicated valve trains. The oil must be thin enough to lubricate complicated parts when the engine is cold. The weight of an oil is expressed in terms like 20-W-50 or 5-W-30. The auto makers recommend the weight of oil for each vehicle they make. The recommendation is based on engine design. Your Poway service center will know what weight your automobile manufacturer recommends – and it’s important to follow those recommendations. Your service advisor at Poway Auto Repair can also offer suggestions for special formulations and can tell you all about conventional and synthetic oils.

Antifreeze, or engine coolant, is another area that has become more complicated. For a long time, manufacturers only recommended a couple of different types of coolant. Now, several different formulations are needed because of the high-tech materials that auto manufacturers are using to build the cooling system. Using the wrong type of coolant in your Vehicle or other vehicle can actually void your warranty, so it’s essential to get that right.

Transmission fluid is becoming specialized for Poway vehicles as well. New transmission designs have particular requirements that require specific formulations. Recently, new, somewhat confusing, standards for brake fluid have also been released.

Not too long ago, there was a good chance that all of the vehicles at your Poway house would use many of the same fluids. However, as automotive technology advances, the array of basic automotive fluids California auto owners need will grow. And, some of the formulations will cost a little more for Poway motorists. Fortunately, Poway Auto Repair will continue to update their training to keep pace with technology so that you’ll get the right fluids your car needs. It’s all part of the commitment we make to your driving peace of mind.