When it comes to what’s under the hood of your vehicle, how much do you know? It’s okay if you’re not a car genius (or even if you are), but there are definitely some basics you need to know. The one we’ll cover today is… drumroll, please… fluids! There are a lot of fluids in and around your engine, and you should have at least a basic understanding of what they are, how to check them, and what to look for if you have a problem.

First is the oil. This is the lifeblood of your vehicle, and if you don’t have oil your engine can weld itself together, meaning that you’ll just have a chunk of useless, engine-shaped metal in your car. Not good. Oil lubricates and cools all the moving parts, and it also prevents the buildup of residue in your engine. Check your oil at least once a month, and if something’s wrong, go see your dealer for an oil change.

Second, comes the coolant. The reservoir for this is located near the radiator in a clear opaque plastic container. You can see the coolant level through the plastic, which is great because you shouldn’t be opening that reservoir too much. If the level is low (there should be an indicator line) then take your vehicle in to your shop to have them top it off.

Power steering fluid is next, and this is important! The reservoir is located at the base of your windshield in a small tank. The fluid makes it easier for you to steer your car, and without it, your steering mechanism won’t work properly. There are levels indicated on the tank, and the fluid should be between the minimum and maximum levels.

Then comes brake fluid, which is also in a tank marked with minimum and maximum lines. Keep an eye on this – if the level is chronically low (i.e. it keeps getting filled up and going down again quickly) then your brakes might be wearing down, so you need to get that checked out pretty quickly.

Finally, the windshield washer fluid! This one we all (should) know, but it’s in a big tank with a windshield diagram on the cap, and when we run out it’s impossible to clean the windshield. This is also an easy refill because all you need to do is stop at a gas station, pick up a new bottle, and fill ‘er up again.