What’s My Car Leaking?
Walking outside and seeing wet spots on the driveway beneath your car can be a frustrating, if not outright alarming, experience. Here a few indicators to help identify some common types of fluid leaks: Water: Leaking water generally is not a serious concern. More often than not, water beneath the engine is simply condensation resulting […]
Walking outside and seeing wet spots on the driveway beneath your car can be a frustrating, if not outright alarming, experience. Here a few indicators to help identify some common types of fluid leaks:
Water:
Leaking water generally is not a serious concern. More often than not, water beneath the engine is simply condensation resulting from use of the air conditioner in hot weather. Water is a potential concern if it is pooling in large amounts. The temperature gauge is the corresponding gauge to watch.
Coolant:
Engine coolant is usually bright green, although it can be orange or pink. It generally feels a little greasy, and smells sweet. Coolant leaks can occur for numerous reasons. Even a small drip is worth getting checked out. Take a look at the radiator, heater hoses, and engine plugs and watch the temperature gauge. A coolant leak means there is a risk of the engine overheating.
Transmission Fluid:
This fluid tends to be red to dark red, depending on whether it’s old or new. It will generally feel oily. Manuel cars seldom have transmissions fluid. This is another cue to head to a auto repair specialist as soon as possible. Since this fluid lubricates the transmission as the car shifts gears, losing too much fluid means grinding gears and potentially ruining the transmission.
Oil:
New oil will be clear to translucent yellow, old oil will be dark brown or even black. Similar to gasoline, oil has an unmistakable scent. Keep in mind there’s a big difference between oil seepage in high mileage cars and an actual leak. A leak can be a big problem unchecked. If oil levels drop too low, the engine’s heat and lack of lubricant could cause it to seize.
Brake Fluid:
This fluid ranges from almost clear to slightly yellow and is thicker, almost like syrup. Do not drive a car leaking brake fluid, instead get it towed.
Leaks aren’t the knee-jerk event they can feel like. Usually they do not reflect a serious issue, but rather the simple need for a visit to the trusted Tucson auto repair specialists at Automotive Recalibration. It is simply a cue to get a tune-up.
