How to Check Your Car's Fluid Levels at Home

HON CAR SERVICE
Jun 13
2 min read

Maintaining your car’s fluid levels is essential for its performance, safety, and longevity. Luckily, you don’t always need a mechanic to carry out basic checks—you can inspect most fluids at home with minimal tools. At Hon Car Service Southampton, we always encourage drivers to take proactive steps in car care. This guide will show you how to easily check your vehicle’s essential fluids.

Why It’s Important

Regular fluid checks help prevent:

Overheating
Engine wear
Brake failure
Steering problems

Whether you’re looking for MOT and service near me or general maintenance advice, we’re here to support you.

1. Engine Oil

How to check:

Ensure your car is on a level surface and the engine is cool.
Locate the dipstick, usually with a yellow or orange handle.
Pull it out, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then pull it out again.
Check the oil level—it should be between the min and max marks.

Top Tip: Dark or dirty oil? It may be time for a change. Book your oil change at Hon Car Service Southampton.

2. Coolant/Antifreeze

How to check:

Only check when the engine is completely cool.
The coolant reservoir is usually transparent with "Min" and "Max" markings.
Make sure the level is between these lines.

Note: Low coolant can lead to overheating. If in doubt, visit our car service garage near me location.

3. Brake Fluid

How to check:

Locate the brake fluid reservoir (usually near the back of the engine bay).
The fluid should be between the min and max lines.

Warning: Low brake fluid can be dangerous. If you’re unsure, schedule a brake check with Hon Car Service.

4. Transmission Fluid (for Automatics)

How to check:

Some cars have a transmission dipstick like engine oil; others require professional inspection.
Follow your owner's manual for exact steps.

Tip: Slipping gears or delayed acceleration may indicate low or dirty transmission fluid.

5. Power Steering Fluid

How to check:

Find the power steering reservoir.
Use the built-in dipstick or check the markings on the container.

Symptom of low fluid: Stiff or noisy steering.

6. Windscreen Washer Fluid

How to check:

Locate the reservoir with a windscreen symbol.
Top up with screen wash fluid if it looks low.

MOT Tip: A dry screenwash bottle can cause an MOT fail!

Trust Hon Car Service for Expert Maintenance

Even though checking fluids at home is simple, regular inspections by a trusted garage help catch deeper issues. At Hon Car Service Southampton, we offer full servicing for all makes and models including Mazda service, Kia service, Jeep servicing, and more.

Looking for a MOT garage near me or help to check MOT due date? We’ve got you covered.