What Is Blinker Fluid? Is It Real? - Vehicle Freak

• Emma Davies

Updated on August 11, 2022

If you’ve recently started driving or are not familiar with all the different fluids and technical terms that come with owning a car you might be wondering what is blinker fluid.

Properly maintaining your car can seem highly intimidating when you initially lift the hood so you may be wondering where do you start with blinker fluid?

Blinker fluid is not a real product you will find in your vehicle so you don’t need to worry about it in your checklist of car maintenance. The joke has been a long-running prank amongst those who have recently gotten into the world of automotive maintenance.

Don’t be mistaken, there are a lot of important aspects of your vehicle that require regular maintenance and inspection to prevent an unwanted breakdown or garage bill but blinker fluid is not something you need to be concerned about.

What Is Blinker Fluid?

You might have heard the term online or read about blinker fluid and wondered- what is blinker fluid and do I need to get some? Learning how to maintain your car can be confusing and jokes about blinker fluid can make it even more confusing – even if it is hilarious!

Entering the world of automotive repairs can be massively overwhelming with so many different terminologies to learn and regular maintenance that needs to be performed to keep the maximum level of safety when on the road.

Your blinkers or turn signals are powered by electricity that comes from the battery of your car so you don’t need to use any blinker fluid as this could be dangerous if mixed with your car’s electrical systems!

If you want to pass on the joke and trick friends or family who may not understand the basics of car maintenance then you can purchase empty bottles online to help you execute the perfect prank.

If you have had to search what is blinker fluid then chances are you may not be fully aware of the different areas of car maintenance that are needed to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely.

Keep reading and we will cover the basics of the fluids you need to know and top up as well as go into more information about your turn signals so you can see for yourself why blinker fluid is not needed,

Real Car Fluids You Need to Know About

Now we know that blinker fluid is a common joke amongst those looking to prank their friends and family. But there are some fluids that you should know about under the hood. These will need replacing or topping up at a different time or mileage interval.

Although we have covered what is blinker fluid, your turn signals are still an important aspect of your car that provide vital safety features and alert other road users of your intentions.

For specific information relating to your car’s make and model, you can read your owner’s manual or take a look at the designated section for your make on our website where we cover the majority of popular brands such as Toyota, Ford, Honda, and Nissan.

Coolant

Coolant is the diluted version of antifreeze and is used to transfer heat as well as make sure nothing freezes. Coolant is extremely important as it prevents your engine from overheating and causing damage to your engine which can be incredibly costly.

To find out more information about how much coolant you need or how to add it to your vehicle you can read all about it on our website.

Engine Oil

Your engine oil is considered the most important fluid your car will need as it lubricates the moving parts to keep everything running smoothly. It also provides some of the same properties as coolant and can help to clean out any dirt or build-up in your engine that could affect the performance.

Engine oil changes are recommended every 5,000 to 7,000 miles depending on the type of oil your car has. If you’re not sure what variety of oil your vehicle uses then you can look in your owner’s manual for more information and top it up or replace it yourself,

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid it is a hydraulic fluid that sends pressure to the brake pads when you press the pedal. It is needed to get the best response when you press your brake pedal and without the right maintenance, you might find you have increased braking distances.

The general recommendation for a brake fluid flush is every two years or 30,000 miles but you might need to top the level up in between then to maintain safe performance.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is also used for lubrication and works to support shifting. It might need topping up occasionally and a full flush can be needed anywhere from 30,000 miles right up to 100,000.

It works as a hydraulic fluid similar to your motor oil and is needed to prevent wear on vehicle parts that could become costly.

Wiper Fluid

Windshield wiper fluid is commonly forgotten about but is very important so you can maintain a clean and clear view of your surroundings and the road ahead of you.

Having this fluid enables you to remove any dirt, dust, or bugs that may have gathered as you are driving and can be purchased in most stores.

FAQs

What is the use of blinkers?

Blinkers or turn signals are designed to alert other road users of your intention to turn and prevent accidents.

How do you signal without a blinker?

If you need to signal a turn without the use of a blinker then you can extend your arm out to the left or right of the vehicle to indicate you are going to turn, much like bicycle riders do.

Why does the blinker blink fast?

Blinkers are faster as they draw attention to the fact you are going to perform a maneuver so other road users can be aware.

How much does it cost to replace a blinker bulb?

Usually, a bulb for your turn signals will only cost around $10 or less and shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to replace.

Conclusion

The long-standing joke of topping up blinker fluid has proven hilarious to many who might have less automotive knowledge and can make for a hilarious prank.

The safety features of your turn signals are highly important and luckily they are powered electrically so you don’t need to think about maintaining fluid levels.

However, knowing the fluids in your vehicle that do require maintenance is an important way to maintain your vehicle and keep it running for a long period without creating any permanent damage that could leave you with a broken car.

Here are some more articles for you to check out:

Turn Signals Work Sometimes? How To Diagnose & Fix

Why Is My Turn Signal Blinking Fast and How Do I Fix It?

10 Reasons Your Car’s Lights Won’t Turn Off