Fluid lubricates the numerous moving metal parts in your car, and lots of moving metal parts means many kinds of different fluids. Because fluids differ in smell, color, and texture, finding the source of a leak can be easy once you know what to look for. Common fluids found beneath your car include:
Water – Normally this comes from the AC or defroster system and is the most common fluid you may find. The drip can usually be found under the center right or center left of the vehicle. This is normal and should not cause alarm.
Engine oil – This tends to be slippery, light to dark brown or even black in color and usually has a “burnt rubber” smell. Locate the engine oil dipstick in your vehicle to check your oil level. If the oil level is low but still registers on the dipstick, top off the oil as soon as you have the opportunity. If the oil level does not register on the dipstick at all, make sure to add engine oil just enough to reach the full level on the dipstick before driving. It is important not to overfill. Overfilling can cause more harm than not having enough oil does.
Coolant – Coolant is usually watery and slippery to the touch and can be light green, yellow, pink, blue, or purple. The drip is commonly found near the front of the engine or underneath the vehicle’s radiator. Once the engine has cooled down, check the fluid levels in the radiator and coolant tank. If they are low, top off with distilled water. Don’t use tap water as it has minerals that can lead to cooling system corrosion. Be aware that loss of coolant is the number one cause of serious engine damage so if you keep losing fluid contact our service department.
If you have any problems with leaks please contact our service department. Click here to print out a complimentary service inspection and car wash coupon to have our trained technicians inspect your vehicle for FREE. Call 1-888-808-9974 or click here to e-mail us to set an appointment to make sure you get in and out as quickly as possible.
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