Have you checked the level and condition of the various fluids under the hood of your vehicle? You haven’t? That’s OK, you’re average, and just part of the club of drivers and vehicle owners who neglect this task, primarily because out of sight means out of mind. There is no “squeaky wheel that gets the grease” in this case. Fluids fade away slowly and silently.

Name a Fluid, Any One of the Automotive Fluids!

Quick, name one of the fluids in your vehicle. Did you say radiator? Radiator fluid is probably the one that comes to mind for most people, followed by transmission fluid. Of course, there also is windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, differential fluid, and the fluid that gets changed the most often, oil.

Even with an oil & lube change, which is the top-of-mind maintenance item of most motorists, we have to rely on the static cling sticker the last repair shop or quick-lube placed on the upper left corner of your windshield (there it is, hidden by the sun visor) as a reminder of the next oil & lube change. Of course, many newer vehicles do have built-in electronic reminders that let you know an oil & lube change is due. But other than the “low washer fluid” warning light on some vehicles, there are no visual reminders to tell you it’s time to change the other fluids.

The Order of Importance in Automotive Fluids

What are the most important fluids? All of them! Even the blue-water/alcohol mixture that is affectionately called “bug juice” can be a critical need on a sloppy winter day when a passing semi just splashed a bucketful of muddy water on your windshield and you are now traveling blind at sixty miles an hour.

Keep reading to discover more about the importance of radiator fluid and then discover more about other important automotive fluids.