If you notice liquid underneath your car when you leave your house in the morning, there is definitely a leak that needs to be fixed. Unfortunately, leaks can be difficult to identify if you do not know what the different colors mean. There are several fluids that can be leaking from a car, and you will need to determine which fluid is leaking so you are able to fix the problem.
Does It Seems Like Water?
It is common for what appears to be a leak to actually be water. This can be from running your car's air conditioning, and the condensation falling to the ground when you shut off the car. This is usually not anything to be concerned about, but it may be from a water pump hose that is broken and needs replacement.
If the liquid has a slightly cloudy color, it may be fluid from your power steering system or your automatic transmission.
Does It Look Dark?
Dark fluids could be one of two things: either dirty fluid from your transmission or dirty engine oil. An easy way to determine which fluid is leaking is by checking the levels of these fluids under the hood. You definitely do not want to be driving around with low engine oil or transmission fluid, so add the appropriate amount before driving to the auto shop.
Does It Look Red?
If you have replaced your automatic transmission fluid, the new fluid will be a bright red color. This color is not any indication about the condition of the fluid, because the fluid is dyed red to make it easy to identify.
Does It Look Green?
Another fluid that is dyed a noticeable color is coolant. It will look green or yellow depending on how dirty it is, and should be easy to identify if it is leaking because of that.
Collect The Leaking Fluid
Still stumped about what the leaking fluid could be? A good tip is to place a white piece of paper under your car where the fluid is leaking to collect it. Take this with you when you visit an auto repair shop, like Felix Auto Repair & Towing, and a mechanic can use it to help easily identify the leak and diagnose the issue quickly.
Leaking fluids are a normal part of car ownership and not anything to be too worried about. By taking care of a leaking fluid at the first signs of trouble, you will reduce the chance of ruining a component of your car due to having inadequate fluids.
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