Back to all

The Boudreaux's Guide to Proper Fluids for Your Vehicle

February 26, 2014



The automotive professionals at Boudreaux's would like to give New Orleans auto owners an update on some of the things happening in automotive fluids. You know, cars are becoming more sophisticated everyday - and fluids such as, oil, coolant and transmission fluid are becoming more specialized at about the same pace.

The New Orleans do-it-yourselfer has to be pretty careful so that they do not actually harm their sedan with the wrong type of fluid. That is why so many Louisiana car owners rely on the advice of their friendly Boudreaux's service professional to not only get the correct family of fluids, but to suggest the formulation that is best for their car and their driving habits in the New Orleans area.

Let's start with engine oil. Metairie drivers who have been paying attention, will have noticed a number of new oil weights on the Louisiana scene in the last several years. Modern engines are built to much tighter tolerances and have very complicated valve trains. The oil must be thin enough to lubricate complicated parts when the engine is cold. The weight of an oil is expressed in terms like 20-W-50 or 5-W-30. The automobile manufacturers recommend the weight of oil for each vehicle they make. The recommendation is based on engine design. Your New Orleans service center will know what weight your auto manufacturer recommends - and it's important to follow those recommendations. Your technician at Boudreaux's can also offer suggestions for special formulations and can tell you all about conventional and synthetic oils.

Antifreeze,
or engine coolant, is another area that has become more complicated. For a long time, manufacturers only recommended a couple of different types of coolant. Now, several different formulations are needed because of the high-tech materials that auto manufacturers are using to build the cooling system. Using the wrong type of coolant in your sedan or other vehicle can actually void your warranty, so it's critical to get that right.

Transmission fluid is becoming specialized for New Orleans vehicles as well. New transmission designs have particular requirements that require specific formulations. Recently, new, somewhat confusing, standards for brake fluid have also been released.

Not too long ago, there was a good chance that all of the vehicles at your New Orleans house would use many of the same fluids. However, as automotive technology advances, the array of basic automotive fluids Louisiana car owners need will grow. And, some of the formulations will cost a little more for New Orleans drivers. Fortunately, Boudreaux's will continue to update their training to keep pace with technology so that you'll get the right fluids your car needs. It's all part of the commitment we make to your driving peace of mind.

More articles from Boudreaux's Auto Service

Cooling System Components

January 26, 2016

Today we want to talk about a critical system in our cars the cooling system. Its one of those things that New Orleans car owners dont give much thought to until it fails and then they're stranded by the side of a road in New Orleans. Cooling systems fail more often than any other me... More

The Boudreaux's Guide To Custom Wheels

January 16, 2016

If youre interested in customizing the wheels and tires on your sedan, there are a few things you should know first. Most importantly, the wheels you buy need to fit your vehicle. Not all wheels are created equal. Too many New Orleans drivers have bought a set of wheels that caught their eye, t... More

Steer Right In New Orleans

January 7, 2016

Virtually all vehicles come with power steering so many New Orleans drivers have never driven a car or truck without it. Power steering assists you when you turn your sedan steering wheel. Without it, it would be very hard to steer. Now this power assist comes in a couple of forms. In recent ye... More