What is blinker fluid and is it real?

Quick insights

• Blinker fluid is a made-up term combining actual references to car parts: blinkers (turn signals) and fluid.
• There are several fluids needed for various components in your car to work properly.
• Your vehicle’s turn signals don’t need fluid to operate, but they should be checked often.

Turn signals—sometimes referred to as blinkers—use light bulbs that drivers activate electronically while driving. The notion that blinkers use fluid is part of a comical hoax that we expose in detail below.

What is blinker fluid?

The mashed-up joke term “blinker fluid” can play on someone’s lack of automotive knowledge, but it isn’t real. Turn signals, also known as indicators or blinkers, are lights that flash when activated by the driver. Although your blinkers don’t use fluid to operate, there’s a variety of different fluids a vehicle needs to function properly.

So, my blinkers don’t need fluid?

No, your turn signals don’t need fluid to function. They activate when you use a lever, switch or button on your steering column. Traditionally, you move a lever up or down, which relays a signal to bulbs at the front and rear corners of your vehicle. Your dashboard has lights that flash in sync with the exterior turn signals.

Fluids your car needs

Vehicles rely on several fluids to function correctly; each type has a specific role. Maintaining the levels of these fluids helps a vehicle’s performance, safety and longevity:

• Oil: This is used in car engines (hybrid cars excluded) to lubricate various components, reduce friction and generally provide cooling effects. Everyday driving usually results in the oil needing a change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
• Coolant: Also known as antifreeze, coolant can regulate an engine’s temperature in cold weather. The manufacturer will recommend how often coolant should be checked and flushed.
• Transmission fluid: Like oil, transmission fluid serves as a lubricant, but for the transmission components. In automatic and manual cars alike, transmission fluid helps gears shift smoothly.
• Brake fluid: When you press the brake pedal, brake fluid is used to transmit the force of your press to the brake components. The braking mechanisms and amount of driving will affect how often brake fluid is needed, but it’s usually every couple years.
• Wiper fluid: There’s usually a nozzle that sprays cleaning fluid when you press your wiper lever a certain way. The blades should automatically go once or twice to spread the fluid, as well. Refill wiper fluid as needed, but especially ahead of long drives and seasonal changes that tend to dirty your windshield.

Regular inspections and timely replacements of essential fluids in a vehicle can prevent major mechanical issues and costly repairs. You can refer to your owner’s manual for details.

How to maintain your turn signals

Your turn signals contribute to safety on the road. Here are some tips for turn signal maintenance:

Check signals as often as you want

Before a long trip is also a good time to check your blinkers. If you’re by yourself, you can activate the signals, step outside of the car and ensure both the front and rear bulbs are flashing. Otherwise, someone else can check the exterior functionality while you activate the signals from inside the car.

Test both the switch and turn signal relay

When testing your signals, don’t just confirm if the bulbs illuminate. When you activate the turn signal lever, the indicators on your dashboard may not appear. However, if your exterior lights are flashing, either the relay or the switch itself could be faulty.

If turn signals work intermittently or not at all, there may be an issue with the wiring or connections. The damage that causes this type of issue may not be visible. You might need to see a professional mechanic to diagnose a puzzling issue with your turn signals.

Replace bulbs when they seem dim, flash irregularly or don’t flash at all

Normally, this is a multistep process that requires various tools to remove the signal casing and bulb itself. The process may be intimidating if it’s your first time. You can also follow instructions in your owner’s manual or take your vehicle to a qualified professional to replace a turn signal.

In summary

Using your turn signals will communicate your intentions to other drivers and contribute to everyone’s safety on the road. You can check and maintain turn signals regularly and without refilling any fluid. The term “blinker fluid” is both a misnomer and attempt at humor. If someone tells you that you need to check your blinker fluid, you’re being taken for a ride.