45 -CHAPTER......... j...,.. 8 ~\..- ;THI~~Sf\-FEJY _.:.. ;'..».......,. np;,llf I~~yeantlfreez~in ah'penc8ntaiil~rr spllledq.l,1thefi()r ~~erifit:p1ightbe acc;~ss:lblle.i t children r ariimals.antifreezeis'txic arid call be f~fal if ingested"" ",:c' - < - - -- -- Objectives After reading the Aut Upkeep text and cmpleting the fllwing activities, yu will be able t: Identify different types f fluids used in the autmbile. Analyze fluid cnditins. Perfrm basic fluid level checks. Summary Fluids in the autmbile have critical functins. Fluids that are neglected and run lw fr lng perids f time add stress t cmpnents and can cause premature damage. Practice preventative maintenance by checking fluid levels frequently. Always refer t yur wner's manual t identify the crrect type f fluid fr yur specific vehicle. Using incrrect fluids can harm vital systems and culd cause a hazardus situatin while driving. Mst f the fluids used in autmbiles are txic. Antifreeze has a sweet taste t animals and can be fatal if ingested. Dispse f all fluids prperly. Always wash yur hands thrughly after checking and adding fluids. www.autu~kee~.cm...,."'.'. x~.-
46 AUTO UPKEEP WORKBOOK ~ Study Questins - Fluid Level Check 1. What functins d varius fluids prvide t vehicle cmpnents? 2. What is the prcess t check engine il? 3. What is the clr f clean il? What is the clr f dirty il? 4. What is the prcess t check autmatic transmissin fluid? 5. What is the clr f clean autmatic transmissin fluid? 6. What is the prcess t check antifreeze (clant) level? 7. What are the tw cmmn types f antifreeze? What is the difference between them? 8. What is a cmmn clr fr windshield washer fluid? 9. What are sme safety precautins when handling brake fluid? 10. What is the prcess t check pwer steering fluid? www.aufu~kee~.cm
CHAPTER Fluid Level Check Activity Objective Upn cmpletin f this activity, yu will be able t safely check the fluid level in varius vehicle cmpnents. Cnnectins t NATEF General Service Technician Tasks Basic Vehicle Service: Check and adjust engine il level. Check and adjust engine clant level. Check and adjust pwer steering fluid level. Check and adjust brake fluid level. Check and adjust windshield washer fluid level. Check and adjust differential/transfer case fluid level. Check and adjust transmissin fluid level. Determine fluid type requirements and identify fluid. 8 FLUID LEVEL CHECK 47 crrectly check and add fluids. Since variatins can ccur frm ne vehicle manufacturer t anther and frm ne mdel t anther, reread yur wner's manual fr specific prcedures and type f fluids. The fllwing are general prcedures. Prcedure 1 - Engine Oil Fluid Put n yur safety gggles, Pp pen the hd. Lcate the engine il dipstick. I Pull ut the dipstick, wipe it ff with a paper twel. Reinsert the dipstick cmpletely, remve it again, and nte the reading. Iflw, remve the il filler cap and use a clean funnel t add the crrect type f il. D nt verfill. Allw the il time t flw t the pan, Recheck the level and crrect if needed. Tls Safety gggles, chemical resistant glves, basic hand tls Supplies Shp rags, crrect type and amunt f fluids that need t be added Cautins Read wner's manual t identify the crrect type f fluids t be used. Never remve 'a ht radiatr cap. Directins Check ff the bxes 0 when cmpleted. When yu see a hand ~ next t the task, write the infrmatin in the activity jurnal. If yu have any questins during the duratin f this activity, stp and ask the instructr (if available) fr assistance. Reread the prcedures in the text t www.autu~kee~.cm
48 AUTO UPKEEP WORKBOOK Prcedure 2 - Transmissin Fluid Prcedure 3 - Pwer Steering Fluid Lcate the transmissin dipstick (if autmatic transmissin). Lcate the pwer steering fluid cap and dipstick which are ne unit. Nte that sme pwer steering reservirs are translucent with "min" and "max" lines. With the engine idling (mst vehicles), pull ut the dipstick, wipe it ff with a paper twel. With the engine ff, remve the dipstick, wipe it ff with a paper twel. Reinstall the dipstick, remve it again, and nte the reading. IfIw, add the crrect type f pwer steering fluid t the pwer steering reservir. D nt verfill. Reinsert the dipstick cmpletely, remve it again, and nte the reading. Full Cld (Add 1 Pint if Transmissin is Ht) If lw use a clean funnel t pur the crrect fluid directly int the dipstick tube r hle. D nt verfill. Recheck the level and crrect if needed. www.autupl<eep.cm
CHAPTER 8 FLUID LEVEL CHECK 49 Prcedure 4 Brake Fluid Prcedure 6 Differential Fluid T check the differential fluid level (where applicable n RWD and FWD vehicles) remve the check plug frm the rear and/r frnt axle husings. If lw, add the crrect type f fluid. On mst vehicles the level shuld be at the bttm f the plug hle, but check yur wner's manual. Lcate the brake reservir. With the engine ff check the brake fluid level thrugh the translucent reservir with "min" and "max" lines. If lw, clean arund the cap and reservir, remve the cap, and add the crrect type f fluid. D nt verfill. When reinstalling the cap, make sure that the rubber gasket seats prperly. Prcedure 7 - Clant Fluid Check the clant level. D nt remve a ht radiatr cap. Check the fluid in the verflw reservir. Add the crrect type and mixture f antifreeze t the radiatr reservir r radiatr if necessary. Prcedure 5 Clutch Fluid Lcated the clutch fluid reservir. It is usually next t the brake master cylinder. With the engine ff check the clutch fluid (manual transmissins nly) level. It shuld be at r near the tp. If lw, clean arund the cap and reservir, remve the cap, and add the crrect type f fluid. D nt verfill. www.aufupkeep.cm
50 AUTO UPKEEP WORKBOOK Prcedure 8 - Battery Electrlyte Check the battery electrlyte level if applicable. Sme battery caps are nt remvable. Refer t the wner's manual r read the tp f the battery t determine if it is a sealed battery. T check the electrlyte level, take ff yur rings and watch, put n safety gggles and glves, and then remve the caps. If necessary, add nly distilled water t any cell that is lw, making all cell levels equal. D nt verfill. Replace the caps. Warning: Batteries cntain sulfuric acid. Wash hands thrughly t remve any battery acid after remving glves. Prcedure 9 - Windshield Washer Fluid Check the windshield washer fluid level. T add windshield washer fluid, remve the cap and fill until the fluid almst reaches the tp. Clean and put away all tls and supplies. Wash yur hands thrughly. ". ; -I ---_. Shine a flashlight int the cells and inspect the level in each cell. Cmmnly a split ring indicatr in each cell identifies the crrect electrlyte level. S Activity Jurnal 1. What type and viscsity f il did yur wner's manual recmmend t use? 2. What type f transmissin fluid is recmmended t use in yur vehicle? 3. What clr was yur vehicle's antifreeze? What might this indicate? 4. What clr was yur windshield washer fluid? 5. What type f pwer steering fluid did yur wner's manual recmmend t use? www.autu~kee~.cm