Is it time to top up your car’s fluids?

The mechanical components of your vehicle need fluids and lubricants in order to work well. The rigours of winter driving are hard on these liquids, so replacing them is defi- nitely not a luxury when spring rolls around.

The first thing to think about is changing the engine oil. When you had your oil changed last fall, it’s possible that your garage mechanic used oil designed for cold tempera- tures. This type of oil is not suitable for hot weather and should be replaced by a lubricant whose properties protect your engine when temperatures soar to record heights.

An oil change is also a good opportunity to check other fluids, such as those in the brake system and transmission. These fluids usually last longer, but you don’t want levels to get too low. Checking the coolant is also a good idea, as it pre- vents your engine from overheating in hot weather; that’s something you really don’t want to happen.

If you’re taking your car in to the garage for all these checks, ask your mechanic if your vehicle needs a lube job. The proper functioning of many of your vehicle’s parts de- pends on this. Often enough people neglect to check and the consequences can sometimes be dramatic for your wallet as well as for the longevity of your car.

Lastly, although not quite so important, don’t forget to fill your windshield washer reservoir, which you probably emptied during that last spring storm. By the way, never replace this fluid with water in order to save a few dollars; you could have a real problem if you forget about it when temperatures start dropping again.

And plain water just won’t be able to deal with all those bugs on your windshield this summer.