Oil and fluids

It can be cheaper to change your oil yourself versus taking it to an oil-change shop or dealership, but it’s important to determine if it’s worth the time, trouble and risk.

While having too little oil in your engine can understandably cause problems, having too much oil can be just as bad.

High-mileage oil can include additives to reduce wear, corrosion and leaks, but stick with the manufacturer's recommendation and only switch if such signs appear.

The amount of oil consumption that is considered “normal” varies by manufacturer, what kind of driving you do and the number of miles the car has traveled.

One indication that the power-steering fluid level should at least be checked is if the steering wheel becomes harder to turn or you hear a whining noise coming from the power-steering pump.

If you’re asking for heat but only cold air is coming out, the problem likely lies in one of two areas.

If you live in a place where the temperature never gets down to freezing, you might be able to get by with plain water in place of windshield wiper fluid.

While it’s likely seldom done, some vehicles’ maintenance schedules do include an interval for changing the differential fluid, though perhaps only under “severe service” conditions.

A ticking noise from your car is most likely related to the engine, but it could also be coming from something else.

In the past, the factory-recommended interval for changing the automatic transmission fluid was typically between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, but some newer vehicles have what’s referred to as “lifetime fluid.”