This post by USA Synthetics in Oklahoma City will walk you through the top fluids circulating within the engine and why to check on them during your car's routine maintenance. Read on to find out more.

Essential Fluids You Should Check During Your Car's Routine Maintenance

Synthetic Oil

To better understand the importance of synthetic oil, think about all the motion generated under your hood as you drive. From the moment you start your car, pistons, bearings, shafts and other parts begin to rotate or slide against each other. The rubbing between metal surfaces results in heat and friction, two forms of energy that can destroy your car if not controlled with quality lubrication. Therefore, synthetic oil comes into play to minimize heat and friction by coating the engine's moving parts with a much-needed layer of lubrication. In addition to providing lubrication, synthetic oil has cooling properties that assist the cooling system by transferring and releasing heat inside the engine. This oil action has significant value in keeping your engine at operating temperature, thus preventing your car from overheating. While synthetic oil's lubricating and cooling properties are well known to most car owners, few people know that this fluid also provides a cleaning action. Remember that your engine is open to microscopic particles that can cause some damage if they accumulate. Hence, synthetic oil is formulated to pick up soot, sludge, varnish, carbon, and other debris to keep your engine as clean as possible. Now, after months of enduring heat, friction and contamination, its formula breaks down and eventually loses its properties, hence the need to replace it. That's why your vehicle's synthetic oil changes are an essential routine maintenance task.

If your vehicle needs new oil, give it a synthetic oil change in Oklahoma City to keep it running smoothly. To place an order on the most effective lubricants for your engine, call USA Synthetics at (405) 388-6170 or visit AMSOIL's online store.

Coolant

When the fuel-oxygen mixture gets ignited inside the combustion chamber, the chemical energy transforms into heat. Interestingly, only one-third of that heat is converted into mechanical energy to move your car. Then, while some of the remaining heat gets dissipated by the exhaust system, a lot of it is absorbed and retained by the engine's metals, which ultimately increases the chances of overheating. As you might expect, your engine needs to get rid of excess heat to perform as expected; that's why coolant is one of the most critical fluids. This fluid circulates through the engine block, cylinder head, and combustion chamber, absorbing heat when the engine is started. After flowing through several times, the coolant's temperature rises above the engine operating temperature; hence, it goes into the radiator to cool off before repeating the cycle. Like any other engine fluid, coolant loses its properties over time. Typically, it's suggested to get a coolant service once every 100,000 miles or three years; nonetheless, check your owner's manual to stay on top of your coolant maintenance intervals.

Are you looking for the most effective synthetic oil in Oklahoma City? If so, call USA Synthetics at (405) 388-6170, or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the highest-quality lubricants for your car's routine maintenance, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil.

Transmission Fluid

As its name suggests, the transmission system provides the wheels with torque and speed by transferring them the energy produced by the engine. This system comprises dozens of gears that rotate against each other pretty fast for the power to be transferred as expected; therefore, it produces plenty of heat and friction; hence the need for transmission fluid as this system’s lubricant. Now, like synthetic oil, transmission fluid's primary purpose is to provide lubrication for the moving parts; however, the difference between these fluids is the area of the engine they circulate through. Synthetic oil is formulated to flow through an open system exposed to all sorts of particles; hence, it withstands contamination. Conversely, the transmission system is closed and extremely hot; thus, transmission fluid is formulated to withstand those conditions. As for its maintenance, transmission fluid is one of the most lasting ones; still, the heat breaks down its formula after years of circulating through; hence, be sure to give it a change approximately every 60,000 miles.

Brake Fluid

Last but not least, it's important to go over how brake fluid is instrumental in keeping your car safe to drive. When you step on your brake pedal, the brake system immediately responds by pressurizing the brake fluid towards each wheel's caliper. Since it's under pressure, the brake fluid applies a force against the calipers' pads, which ends up squeezing them against the wheel's rotors to reduce their speed to a complete stop. On the whole, it's safe to say that your vehicle wouldn't be able to stop without brake fluid safely; that's why it's essential to keep it checked and well-serviced. Interestingly enough, brake fluid gets contaminated with water over time, which causes it to become ineffective. To better understand this, it's necessary to note that brake fluid has a high boiling point when fresh and effective. Once it absorbs moisture, the heat causes it to generate air bubbles, and vapor just like water does when boiling, hence being less responsive to pressure. To prevent your brake fluid from becoming contaminated with moisture, make sure to change it by following the maintenance intervals described in your owner's manual.

Keep your vehicle in optimal conditions by giving it a synthetic oil change in Oklahoma City. To place an order on the best lubricants for your engine, call USA Synthetics at (405) 388-6170 or visit AMSOIL's online store.