INDEPENDENT DEALER

   Alexander, North Dakota | (701) 770-2275

OUR BLOG

9/6/2019
Checking on your car's fluids may seem like a difficult task, but it's actually quite easy. To help you get the hang of it, use these tips to check on some of your car's most vital fluids.

A Guide to Checking on Your Car's Fluids

If you don't know too much about cars, then checking on your car's fluids can seem like a pretty advanced task. In reality, it isn't hard at all. You simply have to know what fluids to check on and where to find them. To help you get more comfortable checking on some of your car's most vital fluids, use these basic steps to get it done.

Tips to Help You Check Your Motor Oil

If you don't know how to check on your car's oil, this is definitely a skill you need to learn. Since your car's oil plays such a large and important role in keeping your engine working properly and keeping your car going, being able to check on it is a must. It also isn't very hard to do, so you can pick up this skill in no time. To start, open up your car's hood and locate the oil dipstick. Make sure your car is parked on an even surface without and incline since this can affect your reading. Once you've located the oil dipstick, pull it out, clean it with a clean washcloth, and stick it back in. Pull it out once more and this time look at the oil on the end of the stick. The dipstick should have two indicator lines to make it easier to check your oil level. The oil on the stick should fall somewhere between these two lines. If it's below the bottom indicator line then you're running low on oil. This can happen over time, but if it happens often then you may have a leak or your car may be burning off your oil. Either way, get this checked out and fixed. Next, check on your oil's condition. To do this, rub some of the oil off the dipstick with your thumb and index finger. Your oil should be somewhat translucent, a light color, and slick. Oil that is dark, opaque, and gritty is ready for a change. Also, look out for oil that appears milky since this can mean your coolant is leaking into your engine. If your car is ready for an oil change, make it a synthetic oil change in Williston. Using an oil like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil can help keep your engine working stronger for a longer time. To learn more about all the benefits of using synthetic oil, contact the oil pros at Advanced Filtration Technologies, Inc at (701) 572- 3780.

How to Check on Your Coolant

Your car's coolant plays a huge role in keeping your engine healthy. As its name indicates, it helps keep temperatures under the hood cool so that your engine doesn't overheat. Because of this, it's important that you know how to check on your coolant and actually check on it periodically. This fluid is also super easy to check on, so you should have no trouble doing it yourself. To check on your coolant, be sure your engine is completely cool. Don't try to take care of this right after a long drive because your coolant will be hot and can cause burns on your skin. Once things under the hood are completely cool, locate the coolant reservoir. This will likely be a plastic container that is somewhat translucent. The indicator marks on the side of it will make it easier to check your current level. If your coolant level falls below the bottom indicator line, top it off with more of the same fluid or coolant mix. If you notice that your coolant is constantly running low, this may be the result of a leak. If this is the case, get it fixed as soon as you can to prevent engine damage. Next, check on the condition of your coolant. To do this, remove the cap on your coolant reservoir and take a look inside. Coolant is often a bright green, yellow, or blue color depending on the type you use. If your coolant is looking colorless or if it looks a rusty color, it's definitely time to flush it and replace it with new coolant.

Protect Your Engine With a Synthetic Oil Change in Williston, ND

To keep your engine running at its best this summer, give it a synthetic oil change in Williston, ND. For help finding the perfect synthetic oil for your vehicle, contact the friendly oil pros at Advanced Filtration Technologies, Inc. at (701) 572- 3780.