Automotive Fluids & Chemicals

Automotive Fluids and Chemicals

Your automobile has moving components, and those moving parts create friction. Automotive fluids and automotive chemicals are designed to reduce that friction to increase the proficiency and life of your car parts as the liquids flow through the engine. The way the combustible engine was created, it also gets really hot and needs additional automotive chemicals like antifreeze to keep the engine from overheating.

Your car needs seven main fluids to continue running in good condition. The automotive chemicals that make up each of these fluids may be dependent on your vehicle's make and model.

• Oil acts as a lubricant to keep the moving pieces in the engine stay in motion. As the oil flows through the engine, the parts are coated, allowing them to slide freely as they move.
• Radiator fluids, such as antifreeze and water, are used to keep the engine from overheating as well as for preventing the fluids from freezing in the winter.
• Much like oil, transmission fluid is the lubricant coating internal transmission components to keep them operating as intended.
• Power-steering fluid is used to keep the power-steering unit lubricated and allows you to smoothly navigate your vehicle.
• Brake fluid is a pressurized hydraulic fluid that is necessary to transfer the force created by pressing the brake pedal into actually slowing down or stopping the car.
• Washer fluid is used to spray the windshield to keep it clean so that you can see where you are going.
• Air-conditioning coolant, also called refrigerant or Freon, is the liquid that flows through your coolant system to create the cold air you value so much during hot weather.

While keeping your lubricants and liquids topped off is a good idea, eventually, the chemicals and cleaners in them wear down and need to be replaced. Among the fluids that need to be changed are the oil, engine coolant, transmission, power-steering, and brake fluids. The differential and transfer case lubricants may also need to be replaced.

Your car oil comes with a viscosity rating, such as 10W-40. The first number specifies how well the oil will perform at winter temperatures. The lower the 'W' number, the better the oil will flow at lower temperatures. The second number specifies the viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius. To determine what weight of oil is best for your automobile, consult your owner's manual.

Additives are chemicals that are added to the oil, gas, or other liquids that flow through your motor. The chemicals are usually purported to improve performance, inhibit rust, or act as detergents or dispersants to keep the car motor clean.