One thing you don’t want to see on the garage floor or other parking space is a spot of fluid left behind by your car.
It’s definitely a cause for concern as you begin to wonder if it’s an expensive problem and if the car is safe to drive.
Read on to find out how to identify common types and causes of fluid leaks.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
If the leak is coming from the front end of the vehicle, is bright and has a water-like consistency, it may be windshield wiper fluid.
This type of leak doesn’t affect the safety or performance of your car and it’s easy to refill the reservoir if it’s running low.
Gasoline
While gas leaks are usually the easiest to identify, they also signal a potentially serious problem with the fuel lines or injectors. This type of leak requires the eye of a professional to diagnose the problem.
Engine Oil
If the leak is coming from the front of the vehicle, it’s probably oil leaking from the engine. An oil leak is identified by a dark brown or black color, a “slick” feel and smells a little burned.
Oil leaks result from a bad oil filter, plug, or damaged oil pan. It may also indicate a problem with the engine or engine mechanics. If you can’t verify that there’s a problem with the filter, plugs, or oil pan, a mechanic can diagnose the problem.
Antifreeze
Here’s another leak that typically comes from the front of the vehicle, although may escape from the back-end exhaust pipe.
If the leaked fluid is red or green, smells sweet, and has a consistency somewhere between thick oil and thin water, it’s antifreeze.
Use caution and avoid contact with antifreeze because it’s extremely toxic and dangerous for people and pets.
An antifreeze leak could signal a more serious problem with the water pump or radiator and needs immediate inspection and repair. An unrepaired antifreeze leak can result in serious and expensive damage to your car engine.
Power Steering Fluid
If the leak is coming from the front part of the vehicle, it may be due to a power steering fluid leak. This fluid is very similar to the slickness of oil but has a thinner consistency.
If you notice noise coming from the steering wheel as you turn while driving, it’s a sign that your fluid is running low or there’s a leak.
Running out of fluid may result in the loss of your power steering, so getting this type of leak checked and fixed quickly is important for safety reasons.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid looks very much like power steering fluid, so it’s tricky to tell the difference. Brake fluid leaks can come from anywhere under your vehicle, which makes identifying the leak even more of a challenge.
If you’ve noticed changes in your brakes or hear noise, take the car in for an inspection. It goes without saying that losing your braking ability while driving is an extremely dangerous situation.
Transmission Fluid
If the leak is coming from closer to the center of the vehicle, is reddish in color, smells like gas, and has a thick consistency similar to oil, it’s probably due to a transmission fluid leak.
Transmission fluid leaks are serious and can indicate a problem with the transmission or other parts of the engine itself.
Whether the fluid may just need changing or there are problems with the engine, it’s advised to hold off on driving the vehicle until you’ve identified the reason for the leak. A mechanic can diagnose the issue and tell you for sure.
Conclusion
It’s never good when you notice a fluid leak coming from your car. When identifying the leak, error on the side of caution and keep yourself and pets away from what may be a toxic fluid. If the leak may indicate a potentially serious issue with your car, take it in for service immediately.
Keeping your car safe and in good working order requires a team effort of mechanics and auto body professionals. When in need of professional auto body inspections and collision repair, contact the auto body experts at Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park.
