Car Leaking Fluid? How to Identify the Liquid

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. It's a nightmare. You wake up in the morning to find the fluid under your car. It can take many people by surprise and cause fear.

How much will the repairs cost? Before you get too worked up, it’s important to determine what fluid is leaking because not all of them will require a major car repair.

Let’s look at the seven most common car fluid leaks and what you can do about them. 

Common Car Fluid Leaks

Coolant and motor oil are the most frequent car fluid leaks. It may be water condensation from your air conditioner, and not a leak in the coolant or motor oil. It is perfectly normal.

Every fluid that comes out of your car should be alarming. However, not all fluids are necessarily dangerous. Let’s look at these seven common car fluids in-depth. 

1. Antifreeze Leak

Engine temperature can be controlled with antifreeze and coolant. You might see a pool of coolant beneath the vehicle if the engine heats up.

This is one of most prevalent car fluid leaks. This could indicate a problem with your cooling system. You should have coolant checked if you see it below your car.

Antifreeze tends to be a bright, vivid color that is difficult for people to overlook. Antifreeze is also distinctively sweet-smelling, so you can smell it. You could find it in green, orange or pink. Because it's highly toxic, make sure your pets are safe from it. 

Although it is possible that the antifreeze leakage is due to a loose clamp, hose or pipe, it can also indicate a problem with your water pump, or any other coolant system issue. 

RELATED: Coolant leak repair

2. Motor Oil Leak

As you drive, it’s possible for some oil to seep out of the engine, especially if you’ve put a lot of miles on the motor. You should have the engine checked if there is oil in your vehicle. Engine damage can result from driving with too little oil, or with low pressure.

It all depends on how old your oil was when it last changed. If you have recently had a service, it might be yellow or amber. Older oil could turn black or brown.

Oil leaks can be caused most often by oil seals and gaskets which have become damaged. A defective or poorly installed oil filter could be the cause. A professional can inspect it. 

RELATED: 8 Best Oil Stop Leak Additives

3. Transmission Fluid Leak

Although transmission fluid can be mistakenly thought to be oil, it is usually easy to distinguish the two by its red hue. But, older transmission fluid might appear to be brown.

These leaks, just like engine oil, are very serious and must be addressed immediately. The puddle could be found under or near the transmission. 

Reported: Transmission Fluid Leaks: Six Causes

4. Fuel Leak

It doesn’t matter whether you have a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle; leaks can occur. You should look for fuel tank problems if you see a leak in the back of your vehicle. If a fuel injector or fuel line breaks, it is possible for fuel to leak around the front. 

While both fuels can be used in the same way, diesel may have some blue hues. It is the scent that will tell you if gasoline is present. The smell of gasoline is distinct, no matter how long you've been sitting. 

Fuel-related mechanical problems aren’t just annoying but also dangerous. You don’t want to drive a vehicle with this combustible fuel leaking. 

5. Brake Fluid Leak

Every modern car uses hydraulic brake fluid. Without the proper amount of fluid, the brakes can’t operate correctly. That’s why you need to have any leaks looked at immediately.

If the fluid is old, it will appear yellowish and oily. This fluid's key ingredient is its slick feeling. You will find it very slippery. To check if there are any levels, you can check the reservoir. 

RELATED: Five Symptoms for a Brake Fluid Leak

6. Leakage of Windshield Washer Fluid

Sometimes, the windshield washer reservoir cracks or is damaged by heat from other systems. You might see a blue-colored leak underneath the car.

Another clear sign is that the reservoir is empty even though you haven’t used the fluid. You will notice fluid pouring from the container if the crack is severe. 

7. Water Leak

The most concerning fluid is water, even if your air conditioner is on. The condensation that forms from excess moisture can cause condensation and drips under the vehicle.

However, if you start to notice an abundance of water dripping, it doesn’t hurt to have it looked at. 

Diagnose Common Car Fluid Leaks

Diagnosing common car fluid leaks isn’t difficult if you are observant. Here are some steps you can follow to identify what's leaking.

You can place a sheet of cardboard below the leaky area.

Check the fluid's color. Below is an overview of the most common fluid leaks.

• Antifreeze: Orange, pink or green
• Motor oil in Amber, Dark Brown/Black
• Red: Transmission Fluid
• Clear/Blue-tinted Fuel
• Yellow: Brake Fluid
• Blue: Windshield Washer fluid
• Clear Water

It is possible to smell the liquid and determine whether it can be identified. A number of substances mentioned above possess a distinctive smell. One example is gasoline, which smells like a pump. Antifreeze, for instance, always has a sweet smell. Leakage of oil in your vehicle could make it smell like burned rubber. Transmission fluid has a similar sweet scent to coolant, but is more tart than coolant. 

To maintain a reliable vehicle, it is crucial to be able to recognize common fluid leaks. You can repair some leaks at home. Others require professional attention. You can always have your mechanic inspect the leak. 

Be aware that a vehicle with major leaks can cause even more damage, be it on-road safety, or more expensive repairs later.