All control questions / Fluids

Control questions about fluids

Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid: where should the level be?

1. How do you check that the engine oil is at the correct level?

   The oil must be between minimum and maximum. I pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back in, pull it out again and read the level.

   You wipe the dipstick first so you read the real level, not oil that splashed onto it while driving. Both too little and too much oil can damage the engine.

   How to show it on the car:

   1. Park on level ground and switch off the engine.
   2. Open the bonnet and find the dipstick – it often has a yellow or orange handle.
   3. Pull it out, wipe it, push it fully back in and pull it out again.
   4. Show that the oil is between the min and max marks.

2. How do you check that there is enough washer fluid?

   The fluid must be between the min and max marks on the reservoir.

   The fluid must be between the min and max marks on the reservoir. Without washer fluid you can't clean the windscreen, and you must always have a clear view.

   How to show it on the car:

   1. Open the bonnet and find the reservoir with the windscreen-and-spray symbol.
   2. Show that the fluid is between the min and max marks.

3. How do you check that there is enough coolant?

   The level must be between min and max on the expansion tank, and the engine must be cold.

   Check the coolant when the engine is cold. When the engine is hot, the system is under pressure and the cap must not be opened.

   How to show it on the car:

   1. Let the engine be cold – never open the cap when the engine is hot.
   2. Find the expansion tank under the bonnet.
   3. Show that the coolant is between the min and max marks.

4. How do you check that there is enough brake fluid?

   The level must be between min and max on the reservoir. The cap should not be opened.

   The level drops slowly as the brake pads wear. If it drops quickly, there may be a leak in the brake system.

   How to show it on the car:

   1. Find the brake fluid reservoir under the bonnet, often at the back of the engine bay on the driver's side.
   2. Show that the fluid is between the min and max marks. Don't open the lid.

5. What can happen if you drive with too little coolant?

   The engine can overheat, which can lead to serious engine damage such as a blown head gasket.

   Coolant carries heat away from the engine. Too little coolant causes overheating, which can destroy the head gasket and in the worst case the engine. Check the level on the expansion tank when the engine is cold.