Whether you have just driven home your new Toyota car or whether still driving a used Toyota vehicle, it is important to keep up with your maintenance. Checking your fluids is easy and requires no tools except perhaps for some paper towels. Check your fluids after returning home from a trip of at least a few miles so that the fluids are at the normal operating viscosity. Here’s what to do.

1. Check your oil. Remove the dipstick from your oil reservoir, and wipe it clean. Replace the dipstick back into the reservoir and remove it again. There will be markings such as engraved text or holes to indicate “low” level and “full” level. If needed, add oil to the oil reservoir to bring the level to the “full” mark without overfilling.

2. Transmission fluid. For automatic vehicles, transmission fluid must be checked to ensure proper working levels. Much like changing your oil, the transmission fluid is stored in a reservoir with a dipstick. While the car is running, remove the dipstick, clean it off, and replace it again. Next remove the dipstick again and check the markings on the dipstick.

3. Engine coolant. Please ensure that your vehicle has completely cooled down before checking the engine coolant. This system is pressurized, and if you remove a radiator cap that is still hot or even warm you could be scalded by coolant. Most new cars will have a reservoir, otherwise remove the radiator cap from the radiator and visually check the levels. If they are low, use a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant to refill. The reservoir will be marked, but if your car doesn’t have a reservoir fill the coolant to about an inch below the neck of the radiator.

4. While you’re at it, check your windshield washer fluid. Caught in a storm or with a windshield covered with debris is not a great time to realize your out of washer fluid.

By taking 5 minutes to check these fluids you will be able to save yourself from thousands of dollars in potential damage and repair costs.

If you're not comfortable checking your own fluids, stop by our Glenside area Toyota dealer for full service and vehicle maintenance.