There’s nothing more unsettling than your car leaking fluid. Most of the time the fluid is just condensation from your air conditioning unit and during these hot summer months you’re sure to be seeing plenty of that. But some leaks can be more nefarious.
Identifying what that leak may be is difficult without a knowledge of car fluids, so let’s learn a little about the most common fluids to leak from your car.
Water – Clear
Water is by far the most common fluid to find under your car. Why? Every car with air condition leaks water. Condensation builds up on your A/C system just like it does on a glass of ice water. Eventually that water drips off and leaves a pool beneath your car. It’s very normal, does not require any maintenance, and should be easy to identify.
Engine Oil – Light brown or black
This is an easy one to spot. Engine oil is usually dark brown or black, and is among the most common fluids for a car to leak. Small drops of oil from your car generally aren’t a major cause for concern, but if the spots persist, and grow in size, it’s time to go in for service.
Brake Fluid – Clear or brown
Brake Fluid is usually a clear or brown liquid that is very slick to the touch. When the brake fluid is new, it’s clear, but your engine can turn it brown over time. It has a similar consistency to olive or cooking oil, so if the fluid is very slick it may be brake fluid. Our advice is to take your car in for service. Need we mention the importance of brake fluid?
Coolant – Bright yellow, green, or pink
Does it look like someone dropped a snow cone under your car? If so, don’t taste to see if it’s lemon sherbet. Coolant may look like your favorite flavor of Gatorade, but it’s about as refreshing as arsenic. Coolant leaks can be a symptom of many different problems, since it moves throughout the engine. We say bring it in for service.
Transmission and Power Steering Fluid – Light brown or amber
These fluids are together because they look very similar and are often the same fluid. The only way to determine between then is the find where the leak is coming from. If it’s from the center of the car, odds are it’s the transmission fluid. Closer to the front wheels? Power steering fluid.
Get it serviced
Now that you know the kind of fluid leaking from your car, we recommend you bring it in for service. As mentioned above, some leaks aren’t much to worry about, but others are signs of an issue under the hood. The fluids in your car are very important, so don’t hesitate to get it checked out when you see them. A routine hose replacement could save you from a much larger problem down the road.
Our service departments deal with leaks of all kinds, so check our directory, and take your car to one of our expert service centers. If you’re experiencing any unsettling car issues, bring it on in and let our expert technicians take a look.