5 Essential Car Fluids Every Vehicle Needs to Stay Safe on the Road

In order for a vehicle to operate and function properly, it requires a number of liquids to facilitate specific responsibilities. Keeping a vehicle’s fluids at the proper level sustains its drivability and overall condition. In this blog, we will discuss the five most important vehicle fluids, as well as, some other equally essential solutions that cars and trucks need to ensure easy and safe driving.

Continue reading to learn about the five essential fluids every car or truck needs to be operational and safe, and who to call when your car fluids fail you unexpectedly.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

When it comes to driving, or maintaining a car in good condition, it is important to change out or refill specific vehicle fluids. There are several solutions a vehicle uses, however, there are five that are absolutely necessary in order for your car or truck to drive properly. These solutions include motor oil, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. Other beneficial solutions include windshield wiper fluid, and in some cases, battery fluid. Each fluid has its own purpose and responsibility, and all of them together can keep a car or truck safe and operational for years.

Motor Oil

If a car has an internal combustion engine (which almost all do) then it will most certainly require motor oil. Motor oil is the most important fluid for a car or truck engine. It is designed to lubricate all the moving parts in an engine’s crankcase. The lubrication prevents all of the high heat production from damaging other vehicular components like pistons and valves. Without motor oil, a car engine will quickly seize up and stop working altogether.

Coolant

Vehicle coolant is usually a combination of a 50/50 solution. This means that fifty percent of the liquid solution is a specialized radiator coolant, and the other half is simply water. In colder climates, the ratio of coolant to water will lean more towards coolant, while in warmer climate, the opposite applies. This is because coolant is basically a heat-transfer liquid. Its main responsibility is to keep the car engine cool and prevent it from overheating. It accomplishes this by circulating coolant throughout the engine, absorbing excess heat, and running it (the heat) back to the radiator and eventually out into the air. This cycle is what keeps a car engine cool and driveable.

Brake Fluid

In terms of passenger safety, brake fluid could be considered the most important car fluid to maintain. All cars and trucks have a brake line system. It is best defined as a completely sealed network that uses hydraulic pressure to control a vehicle’s ability to stop. As a person presses down on a brake pedal, the brake fluid compresses, transferring hydraulic force to the shoes and pads that cause the friction needed to stop a vehicle in motion. It is common for brake fluid to leak, which can greatly reduce a vehicle’s ability to stop in time.

Power Steering and Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is not a solution that requires a car owner to check on their own. Professionals typically tend to these types of fluids when implementing regular scheduled maintenance requirements. Transmission fluid is rust-colored, almost a reddish hue. It is used to lubricate and cool the inner components of a vehicle’s transmission, similar to motor oil. Power steering fluid is also typically checked and administered by a professional automotive technician during routine factory care. Power steering fluid is pressurized by a small hydraulic pump that is powered by the engine. Its main responsibility is to make turning a car easier. It increases the functionality of the steering mechanism that directs the car tires while driving on the road.

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Zore’s Inc. 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime.

Does Your Car Overheat on Road Trips?

If your car is prone to overheating on long trips, don’t let that hold you back any longer! Learn what options you have for taking road trips with an unpredictable car engine.

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Roadside Assistance Tow Truck 317-247-8484


There are many reasons why a car engine might overheat. Sometimes the coolant or motor oil runs out, while other times it’s more serious, like a radiator malfunction or broken cap seal. Regardless of why an engine overheats, the chief priorities are identifying the cause and finding a solution.

Fortunately, many overheating car engines are simply a result of minor issues, such as lack of fluids (i.e. coolant, motor oil, etc.). If this is the underlying cause of your overheating car engine, your best course of action would be to first load your trunk up with extra bottles of motor oil and radiator fluid (coolant).

Second, you need to start a routine car maintenance schedule to keep your vehicle operating safely and efficiently. Allowing your car to overheat frequently is not good for the engine. And last, you need to have a sufficient and modern-day roadside emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. This can help you in a wide range of vehicular emergencies.

If Your Car Engine Begins to Overheat…

If your car engine begins to overheat, you need to immediately find a safe place to pull over. If you are on the interstate or highway, be sure to pull all the way over on the shoulder, and do not exit your vehicle on the traffic side. From there, you can try a few things to get your car to stop overheating. If it is not a simply fix, like refilling coolant, you need to contact a local Indianapolis towing company for 24 hour roadside assistance and tow truck service.

Here’s what you can try before calling a local tow truck:

Turn on all the heaters. This will extract the excess heat out of the engine. If this doesn’t work, you need to try other options to effectively cool off your vehicle if you want to have it driven to the nearest service shop.

Check your coolant levels. Safely exit the vehicle and check if you are out of coolant. If you are, refill with more radiator fluid. If you do not have radiator fluid, try adding one cup of water to your antifreeze.

Check the hose to the antifreeze. You should only remove the hose to the antifreeze if you know where it is under the hood. If you do, you can remove it and check it for blockages. Blow into the hose to loosen or eliminate any obstructions.

Roadside Assistance and Tow Truck Service Near You

Zore's Inc. 317-247-8484

Zore’s Inc. 317-247-8484

If nothing works, you need to have your vehicle towed to your choice of automotive service shop. Choose Zore’s Inc. for prompt and professional, 24 hour tow truck and roadside assistance. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, and we serve all of Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate or information about our services, today.