Tool Review: Fluid Rx Fluid Diagnostic Strips

Fluid Rx has packaged its on-the-spot analysis technology into a simple-to-read kit designed to show your customer the exact condition of all their car's operating fluids. The Underhood Fluid Evaluation pack provides evaluation materials for brake, power steering, transmission and transfer case fluids, as well as motor oil and coolant; the results are shown on one convenient carry-away card.

THE REVIEW

Dustin Poeppel, a PTEN review panelist and technician at Mark's Auto in Fort Atkinson, Wis., thought the Fluid Diagnostic Strips were essential tools to help shops communicate better with customers.

"These strips are especially useful when you have a car in that you suspect the fluids need to be changed," Dustin said. "You can use the strips to get hard evidence to show to the customer the fluid condition. They can even take the card with them, think about the service … usually they come back to get the fluid exchanged.

"It's a solid piece to use to show the customer the condition of their fluid, especially for brake or transmission service that people don't think about as frequently as oil changes.

"It also gives the customer the opportunity to ask more questions about their car … and the more proof we can show them, it improves the service we can give.

"The strips were very easy to use, and the process fairly self-explanatory. And the strips show little extras — like moisture in the oil, or freeze point and alkalinity of the coolant."