Back to all

The Auto Lab Livonia Guide to Proper Fluids for Your Vehicle

October 6, 2024

The automotive professionals at Auto Lab Livonia would like to give Livonia drivers an update on some of the things happening in automotive fluids. You know, vehicles are becoming more sophisticated every day.  Fluids such as, oil, coolant and transmission fluid are becoming more specialized at about the same pace.

The Livonia do-it-yourselfer has to be pretty careful so that they do not actually harm their vehicle with the wrong type of fluid. That is why so many MI ] owners rely on the advice of their friendly and knowledgeable Auto Lab Livonia service advisor to not only get the correct family of fluids, but to suggest the formulation that is best for their vehicle and their driving habits in the Livonia area.

Let's start with engine oil. Livonia drivers who have been paying attention will have noticed a number of new oil weights on the MI 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 vehicle manufacturers recommend the weight of oil for each vehicle they make. The recommendation is based on engine design. Your Livonia service center will know what weight your vehicle manufacturer recommends - and it's important to follow those recommendations. Your service advisor at Auto Lab Livonia 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, vehicle manufacturers only recommended a couple of different types of coolant. Now, several different formulations are needed because of the high-tech materials that vehicle manufacturers are using to build the cooling system. Using the wrong type of coolant in your vehicle can actually void your warranty, so it's important to get that right.

Transmission fluid is becoming specialized for Livonia 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 house would use many of the same fluids. However, as automotive technology advances, the array of basic automotive fluids MI drivers need will grow. And, some of the formulations will cost a little more for Livonia drivers. Fortunately, Auto Lab Livonia will continue to update their training to keep pace with technology so that you'll get the right fluids your vehicle needs. It's all part of the commitment we make to your driving peace of mind.

 Auto Lab Livonia
36251 Five Miles Rd
Livonia, MI 48154
734-432-6000
http://www.autolablivonia.com

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Auto Lab Livonia

Out of Joint (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)

June 7, 2026

If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it has components called CV joints which enable you to turn your wheels smoothly. The CV stands for constant velocity. In essence, its a set of gears that connect a shaft that allows power from the transmission to be sent to the wheels. When you turn the ... More

Go with the Flow (MAF Sensor Replacement)

May 31, 2026

If your vehicle has an internal combustion engine, it depends on two things to make propulsion power for you to be able to motor on down the road: fuel and air. The engine mixes the two in just the right proportion so that they can be ignited, creating a series of tiny explosions that are coordi... More

Don’t Blow Your Cool (Water Pump Replacement)

May 24, 2026

Its always a good idea to keep your cool, and thats especially true when it comes to some components of your vehicle. One is the engine. Its hot under that hood thanks to the mini explosions that are occurring in the internal combustion engine when its running. Your vehicle has a cooling syste... More