What Do the Five Oils, Four Filters, and Three Waters Refer To?
3 Answers
In car maintenance, the 'Five Oils' refer to engine oil, fuel, brake fluid, transmission oil, and power steering oil. The 'Four Filters' include the oil filter, air filter, cabin air filter, and fuel filter. The 'Three Waters' consist of coolant, windshield washer fluid, and battery water. Below are some key points to note for car maintenance: 1. Car maintenance refers to the regular inspection, cleaning, replenishment, lubrication, adjustment, or replacement of certain parts as a preventive measure, also known as car servicing. 2. For car engine maintenance, it is essential to clean the engine at appropriate intervals. Prolonged use can lead to a thick layer of carbon deposits on the engine surface, which can significantly corrode the rubber components inside the engine. 3. Both gasoline and water are prone to evaporation, especially during summer when temperatures are higher. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently check the radiator and fuel tank and top them up promptly when levels are low. 4. Pay attention to interior hygiene. Summer is the season when bacteria multiply the fastest, so the car interior should be kept clean, especially items like car seat covers, steering wheel covers, and floor mats that are prone to getting dirty.
Back when I worked in the auto repair team, my master mechanic kept emphasizing the 'five oils, four filters, and three fluids' every day. The five oils refer to engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and differential oil. These fluids are like the lifeblood of a car - especially engine oil which needs changing every 5,000 to 10,000 km, otherwise the engine might seize up. Transmission fluid differs between automatic and manual transmissions, with automatic transmissions safest to change at 40,000 km intervals. Brake fluid is most vulnerable to moisture absorption and deterioration, requiring replacement every two years. The four filters are oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, and cabin air filter. During repairs, I noticed many people focus on oil changes but neglect the oil filter - a dirty filter can actually ruin new oil immediately. Air filters should ideally be replaced every six months, otherwise the engine will lose power like it's coughing. The three fluids include coolant, windshield washer fluid, and battery fluid. Low coolant can make the engine overheat and smoke, remember to switch to winter-grade washer fluid in cold seasons, while modern cars rarely need battery fluid maintenance anymore. Proper maintenance of these items can extend a vehicle's lifespan by at least five years.
Just helped my neighbor check his old Accord the other day and explained some basic maintenance items like the five oils, four filters, and three fluids. The five oils specifically are: engine oil to protect the cylinder block, automatic transmission fluid to control gear shifting, brake fluid to transmit pedal pressure, power steering fluid to make the steering wheel lighter, and differential oil to protect the transmission gears. Among the four filters, the oil filter must be replaced every oil change; a dirty air filter can make the car sluggish when accelerating; a clogged fuel filter can cause the engine to shudder; and the cabin air filter affects airflow. Of the three fluids, the most critical is the antifreeze coolant—low levels can easily cause the engine to overheat; windshield washer fluid is especially important during rain or snow; and older cars need distilled water added to the battery periodically. For his decade-old car, the recent lack of power during acceleration was due to forgetting to change the transmission fluid—it became much smoother right after the change. For DIY maintenance, checking the replacement intervals in the manual is the most reliable approach.
