Back to all

The Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff Guide to Proper Fluids for Your Vehicle

May 10, 2020

The automotive professionals at Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff would like to give Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff 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 Missouri ] owners rely on the advice of their friendly and knowledgeable Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff area.

Let's start with engine oil. Poplar Bluff drivers who have been paying attention will have noticed a number of new oil weights on the Missouri 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 Poplar Bluff service center will know what weight your vehicle manufacturer recommends - and it's important to follow those recommendations. Your service advisor at Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff 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 Missouri drivers need will grow. And, some of the formulations will cost a little more for Poplar Bluff drivers. Fortunately, Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff 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.

 Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff
2020 N. Westwood Blvd
Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901
573-686-5585
http://www.charliesfastlubepoplarbluff.com

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff

Move it or Lose It (Dormant Vehicles)

February 1, 2026

When it comes to your vehicle, driving it too much can cause some issues. But what about not driving a vehicle enough? That has consequences as well. Here are a few things that can happen if a vehicle isn't driven enough. When the engine doesn't operate, the oil isn't lubricating. That means so... More

Keeping Your Cool (Coolant System)

January 25, 2026

No matter what the weather is like outside, your internal combustion engine expects to keep its cool all the time, even when it's really cold. That's because engines create the power that moves you to your destination by a series of tiny explosions of a fuel and air mixture. In turn, that genera... More

Putting a Stop to Brake Problems (Brake Service)

January 18, 2026

It's safe to say that most drivers take their brakes for granted. You press on the brake pedal and the vehicle slows down or stops. It's easy to see why it is so important for your vehicle's brakes to be working correctly. Brakes are an important safety feature of any vehicle. When it comes to... More