What does automotive fluids refer to?

[JulianaAnn]

In automobiles, 'oil' refers to gasoline, engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. 'Water' typically refers to coolant and windshield washer fluid. Gasoline serves as fuel and is uniformly produced and sold. Other fluids function as working mediums, playing crucial roles, each with different replacement intervals. Engine oil requires the most frequent replacement, typically every 5,000-10,000 kilometers, depending on the oil grade and operating conditions. Transmission fluid is replaced every 40,000-60,000 kilometers, while brake fluid and power steering fluid should be changed every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. During routine vehicle maintenance, all these fluids should be inspected and replaced if necessary. Coolant consists of water, antifreeze, and additives. It prevents freezing during cold weather, which could crack the radiator or damage the engine block, and primarily aids in engine cooling to maintain optimal operating temperatures and performance while preventing overheating damage. Generally, coolant is replaced every 2 years, though some long-life coolants can last 4-5 years. Windshield washer fluid is used for cleaning the windshield and has no fixed replacement schedule; simply top it up as needed.