I have taught more than 2,000 people (mostly women and first-time owners) how to open the bonnet and check fluids in under ten minutes. After watching hundreds of cars come into the workshop with seized engines, burnt gearboxes, or smoking brakes just because one fluid was low, I decided this is the one skill every Nigerian driver must have. You do not need to be a mechanic. You only need 15 minutes once a month and about ₦15,000 worth of fluids in your boot.Here is the exact step-by-step I use with every customer. Do it on a Sunday morning when the engine is cold.
1. Engine Oil (The Most Important One)
Park on level ground, wait at least 10 minutes after driving.Pull the yellow or orange dipstick (usually near the front), wipe it clean with a rag, push it all the way back in, pull it out again.The oil should be between the two dots or lines (LOW and FULL). Colour should be golden-brown (new) to dark brown (needs change soon). If it looks milky or grey, water is inside big problem.If low, add the exact grade written on the oil cap (5W-30, 0W-20, etc.). Pour 200–300 ml at a time through the cap, wait one minute, check again. Never overfill above the full mark.
2. Coolant / Antifreeze (Radiator Water)
Never open when hot boiling coolant can blind you.Look at the plastic overflow tank on the side (usually white or transparent). Level must be between MIN and MAX when cold.If low, buy the same colour you already have (red for most Toyota/Honda, pink for some Hyundai, blue/green for European). Mix 50/50 with distilled water (₦500 per litre at supermarket) or buy premixed.Pour slowly into the tank until MAX. If the tank is empty and engine was overheating, fill the radiator itself directly after it cools for two hours.
3. Brake Fluid
Small plastic reservoir near the firewall, usually with a black cap marked DOT 3 or DOT 4.Level should be between MIN and MAX. Fluid should be clear or light yellow. If dark brown or black, change everything.Top up with the exact same DOT number (never mix DOT 3 and DOT 5). Use a clean funnel one drop of dirt can damage the ABS unit that costs ₦800,000.
Power Steering Fluid
Most 2018+ cars are electric now, but older Corolla, Camry, Accord, Mercedes still have hydraulic.Small reservoir near the belt, cap usually red or black. Dipstick or level marks inside.Fluid should be red or pink and clean. If brown or smells burnt, the pump is dying.Top up with ATF Dexron or the exact type written on the cap. Some Mercedes use special green fluid check manual.
5. Automatic Transmission Fluid
This one scares people, but it is easy.Warm the engine for 10 minutes, park on level ground, keep engine running in Park.Pull the ATF dipstick (usually red handle at the back), wipe, re-insert, pull out. Level should be in the hot zone.Colour must be bright red or pink, not brown or black. If it smells burnt, gearbox is cooking.Add the exact type (Toyota Type WS, Honda DW-1, ATF+4, etc.) through the dipstick tube using a long thin funnel. Add 200 ml at a time overfilling destroys the gearbox.
6. Manual Gearbox Oil
No dipstick on most cars. You need to crawl under or open the filler plug on the side of the gearbox.If you never checked before, pay a mechanic once (₦8,000–₦15,000) to do it properly. After that you can top up yourself every 40,000 km with 75W-90 or whatever the manual says.
7. Windshield Washer Fluid
The blue tank with the wiper symbol. Fill with clean water + washer concentrate (₦1,500 bottle lasts one year) or just water in rainy season. Never use detergent it foams and blinds you.
Battery Water for Maintenance-Type
Most new cars now come with maintenance-free batteries, but many tokunbo and Nigerian-used still have the old type with six small caps.If level is below the plates, add only distilled water (never acid, never tap water) until plates are just covered.
Quick Monthly Checklist
Pop bonnet, wipe all dipsticks clean first.
Check engine oil → top up if needed.Check coolant tank → top up.
Check brake fluid → top up.Check power steering → top up.
Check washer tank → fill.
Glance at battery terminals — clean if white powder.
Fluids You Should Always Carry in the Boot
1 litre engine oil (same grade).1 litre premixed coolant (same colour),500 ml brake fluid (sealed bottle),2 litres distilled water. Small funnel and clean rags
Total cost: ₦18,000–₦25,000 and it has saved dozens of my customers from seizing engines on the expressway.
Final Warning Signs You Must Never Ignore
- Oil light or temperature gauge in red → stop immediately.
- Brake warning light on → drive slowly to mechanic.
- Sweet smell + overheating → leaking coolant.
- Whining noise when turning → low power steering fluid.
Do this check the first Sunday of every month. It takes less time than queuing at filling station and can save you ₦2 million in engine or gearbox replacement.You now know more than 95 % of Nigerian drivers on the road. Teach your wife, sister, or driver too one small check can prevent big wahala.