Why is my Car Leaking? Common Causes and Solutions

It's never fun to walk up to your vehicle while it's parked in the garage, driveway, or a parking lot and notice a pool of liquid underneath it. But vehicles rely on several different fluids to function - and over time, it's not abnormal for certain fluids to leak for one reason or another. In this post, we'll help you get to the bottom of any fluids that are leaking from your vehicle.

How to Identify the Type of Fluid Leaking from Your Car

If your vehicle is leaking fluid, it's important to first determine what the fluid is. Most vehicles rely on several fluids to function, such as oil, coolant, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, radiator fluid, and more.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to capture it by taking a piece of cardboard or a pan and placing it under the vehicle where the fluid appears to be leaking. Once you capture a few drips, you can analyze the color and texture of the fluid to determine the type of fluid it is and how serious of an issue you may have on your hands.

Read on for more information about some of the common leaks, what they mean, and what to do about them:

Oil Leaks: What They Mean and How to Fix Them

Engine oil is typically either a golden, amber color if new oil or brown or black if it's older fluid. But being that engine oil is the key cog that helps your engine operate smoothly and prevents it from overheating, it's a major problem if you're spotting puddles of it under your vehicle.

So what should you do? We strongly suggest scheduling an appointment with your local GreatWater garage to implement a repair promptly. In the meantime, you should check your engine oil levels and add engine oil as necessary to ensure that this fluid does not become depleted. If your engine oil runs out, it's going to lead to increased friction, worn parts and components, and, eventually, total engine failure.

Coolant Leaks: Signs Your Car May Be Overheating

Coolant is an important fluid that helps prevent your engine from overheating. It's typically greenish-blue in color and often appears very bright and vibrant. Coolant is another fluid that you don't want to be running low on. If it becomes depleted, it's likely to result in an overheating engine, damage to engine parts and components, and likely engine failure.

If your vehicle is leaking coolant, schedule a service appointment immediately to have the issue addressed. In the meantime, add coolant as necessary to the coolant tank to ensure that you avoid engine damage and other issues until you can have the leak repaired.

Brake Fluid Leaks: A Safety Concern You Can't Ignore

New brake fluid typically appears clear or light yellow, while older brake fluid is darker. Regardless of the color, leaking brake fluid can pose a serious safety threat when you're on the road, so it's essential to have any brake fluid leaks addressed quickly.

As you press the brake pedal, brake fluid helps build up pressure throughout the braking system, eventually causing the brake rotors to squeeze the brake pads and bring the vehicle to a complete stop. If your vehicle is depleted of brake fluid, the brakes may completely fail and put your vehicle's ability to stop at risk. If you believe your vehicle is leaking brake fluid, make sure you schedule a service appointment to have the issue addressed promptly.

Transmission Fluid Leaks: What They Mean for Your Vehicle

Next to the engine, the transmission is the second-most important component under the hood of any vehicle. And like engine oil, transmission fluid is the key cog that makes the transmission tick. Transmission oil tends to be red and may be the result of everything from cracked fuel lines to busted seals. If your vehicle is depleted of transmission fluid, it may lead to significant damage or complete failure of the transmission. Have your vehicle serviced immediately.

Other Leaks: Fuel, Windshield Washer Fluid, and More

As we noted, there are various other fluids that you'll find in a vehicle. Some of the other common leaks include:

• Windshield wiper fluid: This fluid helps clean your windshield when it becomes too soiled. While it's not a serious issue, it could pose a safety problem if you're unable to adequately clear your windshield as you drive. Wiper fluid leaks should be eventually addressed, even if the problem may not be as urgent as other leaks.
• Power steering fluid: Power steering fluid is typically reddish-brown and often confused with transmission fluid. Usually, leaks are the result of bad seals, hoses, or a bad power steering pump. You'll know if the fluid is power steering if the steering wheel becomes more difficult to turn. Because power steering fluid leaks can lead to problems turning the wheel and the potential for future damage, it should be addressed promptly.
• Fuel leak: If your vehicle is leaking fuel, you need to take immediate action to keep you and any others in the area of your vehicle safe. Because fuel is flammable, you should not start your vehicle if you experience a leak. Instead, contact a mechanic immediately and consider having your vehicle towed to their location so the issue can be repaired as quickly as possible.

Visit Your Neighborhood GreatWater-Affiliated Shop for Expert Leak Repairs

Fluid leaks are never fun to experience - but it's important to identify the leak and implement the proper repairs, with some leaks being more urgent to address than others. If you're experiencing a fluid leak, contact your local GreatWater garage today to schedule a service appointment. We'll identify the leak and then take the necessary steps to diagnose and repair the issue. Contact your local shop in the GreatWater network today for more information and to schedule an appointment.

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