What's Leaking From My Car?

You back up your car out of your driveway or garage and there it is. A puddle of fluid staining your concrete. Is it something you should be concerned with? Pretty much anything leaking from your car could be a problem and should be promptly addressed. We will give you a few clues to help you ID that mystery fluid.

Light Brown or Black Color

oil leak

This is the easiest to determine. Engine oil will have a brown to black color and will have a medium consistency.

Reddish Brown or Reddish Black Fluid

transmission fluid leak

This is automatic transmission fluid. It will have a reddish brown to black color. The older it is, the darker it is. It will usually appear under the middle of the car on rear wheel drive cars or to one side of the front part of the car on front wheel drive vehicles.

Clear or Tan Fluid

brake fluid leak

This is brake fluid. When new this fluid will be almost clear but will darken to a brownish fluid when it gets used. It will have a medium consistency. You might find a brake fluid leak next to any of your cars wheels or under where the master cylinder is in your engine compartment. Some manual clutches may use brake fluid as well.

Green, Yellow or Pink Fluid

coolant leak

This is antifreeze or coolant and will have a thin consistency similar to water. A coolant leak will generally come from the front of your car.

Reddish Fluid

This is power steering fluid. It may appear similar to automatic transmission fluid. A power steering leak will be seen at the front of your vehicle.

Clear Thick Fluid

This is gear oil and comes from your cars differentials. It will generally have a bad rotten egg smell to it and will be thicker than engine oil. A gear oil leak will usually come from the rear of your car but may also come from the front on front wheel or four wheel drive vehicles.

Clear Watery Fluid

This is water. Your car may drain water after running your air conditioning system. It is also a byproduct of normal combustion and may drip from your tailpipe after you first start your car. This is normal.