Informative Speech Outline

I. Introduction

1) (Put up slide of nice car) How many of you right now can afford to go out and buy a brand new car? Since there probably aren’t very many of us, we better learn to take care of the cars that we have right now. But luckily, taking care of your car doesn’t always require you to know a lot about cars; there are many things you can learn to do yourself to keep it in top shape.

2) Even someone who doesn’t have any knowledge of cars can ensure the reliability of their car by checking and adding fluids to their vehicle.

3) Four of the most critical fluids that must be maintained are the engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.

4) When I was growing up I always worked on my own car and kept it in top shape. In addition to doing much reading about cars, I have also served on the pit crew for a stock car driver and worked with mechanics with decades of experience. Hopefully I can pass on some of my knowledge to you and show you a few simple things that will keep your car from leaving you stranded.

II. Body

1) The engine oil is one of the car’s most critical fluids.

a. The level of the engine oil is very easily checked with a dipstick located near the engine.

b. It is also a good idea to check the color of the oil on the dipstick. According to the National Car Care Council, if the oil is a very dark brown or black color it is time to take it in to a mechanic to be changed.

c. To add engine oil, remove the oil cap and pour oil into the engine block using a funnel.

2) The transmission fluid also keeps your car running.

a. To check the transmission fluid, the car must be warm and idling in park. Use the transmission’s dipstick, usually located near the firewall, and check it the same way you checked the oil.

b. To add transmission fluid, pour the fluid into the dipstick holder using a funnel.

3) Most new cars feature power steering, which requires fluid to be maintained as well.

a. The power steering fluid is checked by unscrewing the lid of the power steering reservoir and measuring the fluid with the smaller built in dipstick.

b. To add steering fluid, simply pour the fluid into the reservoir.

c. According to AAA Insurance, power steering fluid is one of the most overlooked when checking fluids in a car, and causes many accidents.

4) Speaking of accidents, let’s talk about another important fluid—the brake fluid.

a. Brake fluid is measured by removing the lid of the master cylinder, which is located near the firewall. In some cars, the master cylinder is transparent.

b. To add brake fluid, just pour it into the master cylinder until it is topped off.

c. According to Burl Grinols, a mechanic with over forty years of experience, you should theoretically never have to add brake fluid to your car. If you do, there is probably a leak somewhere in your brake system and you need to take your car to the shop.

III. Conclusion

1) So if your car is always in the shop or giving you trouble, remember that checking the fluids under your cars hood will help keep your car running a lot better. The four most important fluids are the engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.

2) And since we can’t all afford new cars like this one, remember that checking the fluids every time you fill up your gas tank will help make sure your current car lasts forever, or at least until you can buy a car like this. (Put up slide of nice car)