You might think that all your car needs to run smoothly is oil in the engine, gas in the tank, and you behind the wheel. But you might not know that there are a multitude of different types of fluids that live in your engine and keep everything running. Here’s a list of the fluids you should know about and be paying attention to, and how to make sure that everything is copacetic on your own.

1. Oil. You know about this one! You might not know that you should be checking your oil regularly, though. To do this, just pull out the oil dipstick, make sure the oil is at the “Full” line and not below the “Add” line, make sure the oil isn’t dirty, and stick it back in. You should also be making sure that you’re taking your vehicle in for regular oil changes. A general rule is every 3,000 miles, but your manufacturer and dealer might have different recommendations, especially based on the age and mileage of your vehicle and the type of engine that’s under the hood.

2. Transmission fluid. This is the other dipstick in your engine. You’ll want to check this pretty much the same way that you check your oil, but if it’s the same color as your oil then you’ve got a problem. The fluid should be clear to pinkish without any bits in it. If the level is low or if the fluid is dirty, you should probably make an appointment to get your transmission fluid changed.

3. Brake fluid. This is what gives your car stopping power, which can be especially important if you’re driving in traffic often or if you tend to make a lot of quick stops. If you want to check this, you usually don’t have to open up the reservoir – it’s usually clear enough that you can see the level and color of the fluid through the plastic. If you do want to open the reservoir, clean off the outside and cap before you do; it can be dangerous for you if any particles or dirt get into the fluid. If the fluid itself is dark in color, you should take it in to get it changed – don’t try to do this yourself!

4. Power Steering Fluid. With this, your ability to control the movement of your vehicle’s wheels is increased exponentially. Like with the brake fluid, you can usually see the level and color of the fluid through the reservoir, which is usually located around the passenger side of the vehicle under the hood. If the level is low, you can top it up yourself. Just make sure you don’t get dirt into the reservoir.

We hope these tips help you know more about what’s under your hood – and remember, you can always come into Loughead Nissan and ask us any questions you might have. We’re also happy to check and change any of the above-mentioned fluids for you!