basic Car Care - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bearclaw1017 · 11-02-2010, 08:43 AM

Hey guys. Bought a camry SE 09 in March of 09. Looking to get into basic car care, etc. Recently I noticed some of my fluids were low. Is it ok to refill on your own or leave it to the dealer/mechanic? I always do the windshield fluid on my own but what about the power steering fluid or the coolant? If some of you guys do it yourselves, where would you buy all the stuff? Pep boys? Thanks for your help!

***Joe Dirt*** · 11-02-2010, 09:08 AM

Anywhere you can get rated fluids is ok. Make sure for coolant, etc., that you are getting the correct fluid though, but the recommendations are in the owners manual.

For stuff like power steering fluid, brake fluid, etc., it is extremely rare that you will ever have to do anything with it aside from popular maintenance like maybe changing the PS fluid as recommended and supported here, but they are easy to top off if needed. Again, make sure you have the correct stuff. All of the recommended fluids are listed in the owners manual though.

Did you make sure that you were on level ground when the brake/PS fluids were checked? (so the levels appear correctly on the indicators) Engine off and cool when checking engine oil? (so there isn't oil in the upper end of the engine) Car running when checking transmission fluid?

bearclaw1017 · 11-02-2010, 09:14 AM

Ya, I was on level ground, the engine was cool. For the transmission fluid it was running. They are not extremely low but I was just looking at it and noticed that. Been trying to get more into car care so was detailing my engine when I noticed.

joshuaboston · 11-02-2010, 03:53 PM

Was told NOT TO add any fluids to the brakes due to a closed system and that it may be lower due to the brake pads being used up.

I would bring it in for the recalls or for an oil change at a dealership and ask them to top it up.

I have brought my car in three times and have asked them to top off my fluids, they say sure... no problem BUT IT NEVER GETS DONE!!!

I am below halfway for my PS fluids. Everything else seems OK. And again I was told not to add to my brakes and it is about half full.

If you buy it yourself just make sure you get the riht type, these fluids are pretty cheap, might as well buy them at a dealership.

MJZ · 11-02-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearclaw1017

Hey guys. Bought a camry SE 09 in March of 09. Looking to get into basic car care, etc. Recently I noticed some of my fluids were low. Is it ok to refill on your own or leave it to the dealer/mechanic? I always do the windshield fluid on my own but what about the power steering fluid or the coolant? If some of you guys do it yourselves, where would you buy all the stuff? Pep boys? Thanks for your help!

No way your fluids are low unless you mean your windshield washer.