You notice a little puddle in the driveway where you park your vehicle. What’s leaking from your car? Should you be concerned? Looking at the color of the fluid and noticing which area of the car it came from can help you diagnose the problem.
Red
If you see red fluid leaking from your car, it could be either transmission fluid or power steering fluid. Both of these fluids are bright red when new but turn reddish-brown as they age. If the leak seems to be coming from the front of the car, it’s more likely to be power steering fluid. Transmission fluid will be thicker and will likely be found coming from the center of your vehicle. Leaking transmission fluid also tends to have a strong burnt smell.
Orange, Yellow, Green, or Pink
An orange leak could also be transmission fluid, but most brightly colored fluids are coolants. Manufacturers add dye to make coolants easy to distinguish from other fluids. Coolant leaks will be a watery consistency and usually smell sweet. If your car runs low on coolant, your engine could overheat, or it might automatically shut off to prevent significant damage.
Light Yellow
Do not drive your vehicle if you see a yellow puddle under it. The most likely cause is a leak in your brake fluid. Brake fluid can also turn brown with use, but it has a distinct slipperiness and smells like fish oil. If you suspect a brake fluid leak, immediately have your car checked. Do not risk driving without functioning brakes.
Brown or Black
Engine oil typically begins with a light amber color, but it thickens and darkens to black as it cycles through the engine, picking up dirt and soot. If the leak is small, you may be able just to add more oil, but a larger leak should be checked out as soon as possible.
Clear
If you’ve noticed a clear, waterlike puddle on the front passenger side of your car, the “leak” is just condensation from your air conditioning. This condensation is perfectly normal, and there’s no need to worry.
If you are concerned about any fluid leaking from your European car, make an appointment with California Autohaus. Our team will diagnose the leak, make any necessary repairs, and get you safely back on the road.