Your car has several primary fluids that can occasionally leak in some circumstances. Some leaks can be direr than others; nevertheless, you need to know what kind of leak it is and where it is coming from. Today, we will go over how you can distinguish what type of fluid leak you may have. First and foremost, you shouldn't panic at the first sign of a leak. If you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to Elston Auto Care, and our team will take good care of you. Here is a little guide on how to identify the different types of vehicle leaks:
Oil
A dark brown or black liquid pool near your car is an obvious sign of an engine oil leak. Motor oil leaks can happen from a damaged oil pan or gaskets.
Anti-freeze/Coolant
Anti-freeze/coolant leaks are usually a vibrant color (green, orange, or pink). Coolant leaks are more prevalent in older cars since newer vehicles are better designed to contain the liquid. You can also tell that it is coolant if there is a sweet smell to the leak. These are urgent because too low of coolant can cause your engine to overheat.
Transmission
Transmission fluid is usually a pinky-red color, so it's usually the most straightforward to catch. After you've recognized your leak, you should take your vehicle to us ASAP to uncover any transmission repairs you may need.
Power Steering
If the leak slightly resembles transmission fluid, it may also be power steering fluid. This type of liquid can only exit from the engine bay and signify that your steering system is declining. You can test your vehicle handling to see if the leak is related.
Brake
Brake fluid usually has a yellowish tint, and it sometimes has a fishy smell. If you detect this odor around your vehicle, you should get it patched up as soon as you can.
Windshield Wiper
Windscreen wiper fluid is the most transparent in color(sometimes pink or blue). This type of liquid is the most unusual to leak. When it does happen, it typically has to do with tubes that transfer the liquid to your windshield.
If you notice random liquid puddles (that's not water) around your car, please come to Elston Auto Care for a proper diagnosis. Our certified techs will have your car patched up and back on the road in no time!