In our family, summer means road trips. We spend much of the year planning drives—from short weekend jaunts to weeklong excursions—so we keep our vehicles in top condition year-round. You never know when a spontaneous trip to San Francisco, Las Vegas, or Tucson will pop up. Beyond regular oil changes, air filter checks, and proper tire pressure, it’s important to inspect and replenish fluids like windshield washer fluid and brake fluid. Here’s how we handle those simple maintenance tasks.
Windshield washer fluid is specifically formulated to clear dirt, bugs, and road grime from your windshield in varying weather conditions. Prestone, for example, makes windshield washer solutions for different situations—De-Icer, Bug Wash, and All-Season 3-in-1—so you can pick the product that fits your driving environment. For us, the bug wash works best because we make a lot of highway trips in a mild southern California climate where insects frequently impact our windshields.
Refilling the washer reservoir is one of the easiest and safest car-related chores, which makes it a great activity to involve children in. There are no hot or hazardous liquids to worry about, and kids can practice careful pouring and stop when the fluid reaches the fill line. We’ve assigned this task to our son—when the washer fluid gets low, it’s his responsibility to top it off. This small duty teaches him ownership and the simple responsibilities that come with caring for a vehicle. He’s not old enough to help with oil changes yet, but that will come in time.
Washer fluid is important, but the brake system is arguably the most critical for safety. Regular inspection of brake pads and rotors is essential, and checking the brake fluid level and condition is almost as important. The easiest way to assess brake fluid is a visual inspection of the master cylinder reservoir.
Fresh brake fluid is typically clear or light amber. If the fluid looks dark or like caramel, it’s time to change it. You can perform a full brake bleed to remove all old fluid from the system, or you can replace just the fluid in the master cylinder. One straightforward method is to extract the old fluid from the reservoir with a clean turkey baster, wipe the reservoir clean, and refill with fresh fluid. Always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the recommended change interval and the correct type of brake fluid for your car. Common grades include DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5, and manufacturers such as Prestone offer products for these specifications. Brake fluid is toxic, so this task isn’t appropriate for children. Take care to avoid spills on paintwork, and store or dispose of any leftover fluid properly.
Working on basic maintenance together is a great way to bond with your kids while doing something productive on the weekend. Routine upkeep extends a vehicle’s life and improves safety, so check manufacturer recommendations and keep essential fluids topped up. Brands like Prestone supply a range of automotive fluids, including brake fluid, anti-freeze, stop-leak products, and de-icers to help you stay prepared for any trip.
This is a sponsored post from Prestone, and all opinions are those of Timothy Dahl of Charles & Hudson.