Although the various fluids running through your car may seem insignificant compared with bigger components like the engine, regular maintenance of these fluids is a must to keep your car in good running condition.

Engine oil

Engine oil is the lubricant that keeps your engine’s moving parts running smoothly. The colour of the oil should be a light golden brown and have a consistency slightly thicker than cooking oil.

Before you check the oil, take your car out for a short drive. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle into the sump.

The dipstick is usually positioned near the front of the engine and sometimes has a brightly coloured handle in yellow or some other eye-catching shade to help you locate it.

Remove the dipstick and clean it with a rag or towel, then put the dipstick back into the hole. Pull it out again and get a reading. The reading should be between the maximum and minimum levels.

If the level is low, add only enough oil to bring it up to the full mark. Add a little at a time and recheck the level after each addition.

Power steering fluid

Power steering assists in the steering of the car. The fluid level can be checked by removing the screw top lid from the fluid reservoir. Like the transmission, this fluid should also be checked when up to operating temperature.

Brake fluid

On newer cars, you can usually check brake fluid level without removing the cap on the master cylinder by looking through the translucent plastic reservoir.

Like the transmission, the braking system is a sealed network. It is normal for the brake fluid level to gradually decrease as the brakes wear. It is not necessary for the level to hover around the maximum mark. But if it gets repeatedly low on fluid, you might have a leaky braking system at hand.

To add brake fluid, wipe the cylinder free of dust and debris, as you do not want any of that to find its way into the brake fluid. Avoid getting water in the braking system at all cost.

Battery water

Some cars have what is called a maintenance-free battery which is sealed and doesn’t need refilling. If you car is using the traditional battery with six cells, it will need occasional refilling. Fill the battery cells with distilled water, which is without the contaminants and trace elements that can cause a corrosive buildup around the battery terminals.

Windscreen washer fluid

You never know when you will need to activate your windscreen wipers on a dry day to clear the windshield of dust and dirt, so don’t forget to fill up the reservoir. It's usually located in the engine compartment underneath the windshield and looks similar to the coolant overflow reservoir. However, each will be labelled appropriately to distinguish one from the other.