Driving without enough transmission fluid can keep the gears from shifting smoothly and damage your transmission. Red or brown fluid : Power steering fluid may be another reddish liquid leaking from the car. If this is the case, check if fluid levels are low and refill as needed. Power steering fluid is flammable, so if you do have a leak, contact a professional mechanic to have your power steering fluid reservoir inspected and replaced.
Yellow, green or pink fluid : Coolant is a common source of fluid leaks. This leak would be coming from around the radiator cap, on hoses throughout the engine compartment or on the radiator itself. If it looks like a hose is leaking near a clamp, try tightening the clamp with a screwdriver. Brown, slick fluid : Brake fluid has a slippery texture and is either light or dark brown, depending on the temperature. This leak would originate under the wheels or anywhere near the brakes. While this is a rare fluid leak, it should be taken seriously.
Do not drive a car with a brake fluid leak for risk of brake failure. Instead, get your car towed to a mechanic for repairs. Spread The Word. Since few other fluids come in these colors, you should be able to identify coolant right away.
This fluid might leak from the radiator, its overflow tank, the water pump, or hoses. Be sure to add more coolant to the reservoir afterward.
Look for this fluid under the wheels or anywhere near the brakes in general. The best course of action is to have the car towed to a mechanic. As you can see, there are several DIY ways to stop car leaks of all kinds. Skip to Main Content. Search for: Search Now. Coolant is usually easy to identify, as it typically comes in any number of bright colors. Car and Driver says manufacturers use bright colored dyes to make it easy to identify coolant and differentiate it from other automotive fluids.
Coolant has a watery consistency and may also have a sweet smell, according to Cars. Car and Driver notes that obvious signs of a coolant leaks include lime-green, orange, pink or bluish-green puddles under your car. You may also notice a sweet smell after you've driven the car, or that the car is running hot or overheating while in use. The issue could be an easy fix, such as a loose clamp, but it could be also mean something more complicated, like a broken water pump or leak within the heater.
It's important to have coolant leaks fixed soon, says Car and Driver, as these problems tend to get worse quickly. If you've ever seen a small puddle of water as you leave a parking spot, you don't need to panic — especially if you were running the air conditioner.
Eric the Car Guy says that condensation builds up in the car's air conditioning as it runs. The system collects the water and then drains it through a small tube under the car, which is why it's common to see drips or puddles of water on your driveway or parking spot on hot days. It's usually nothing to worry about, as it's the air conditioner functioning as intended.
Whether it's a few drips of oil or a bright colored puddle, it can be concerning to see fluids underneath your car. Knowing how to identify common automotive fluids can help you identify the source of the leak and hopefully get the issue repaired quickly. Someone Hit My Parked Car. What Do I Do? What Is Comprehensive Coverage? Retrieve a saved quote. Skip to main content Explore Allstate. Popular Searches. Allstate We help customers realize their hopes and dreams by providing the best products and services to protect them from life's uncertainties and prepare them for the future.
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