You may have noticed some fluid drippings from your car’s under carriage everytime you pull out of your garage or parking space. For the pros, it’s easy for them to identify what type of leak it is. But how can an average everyday motorist tell?
First thing to do is place any white cardboard you can find and place it underneath your car on the spot where you observed the leak. Leave it overnight. The next day, pull out the cardboard and observe the fluid.
Greasy, black fluid means it’s your car’s engine oil. If you want to double-check, pull out the oil dipstick and place a few drops beside the leak on the cardboard. Examine both texture and color. If it is definitely engine oil, have it checked by your trusted mechanic if the leak goes on almost everyday.
A clear but greasy leak coming from either one of the wheels or from where the brake pedal is situated indicates brake fluid. Have it checked when brake fluid from the reservoir gradually depletes.
If the leak is greasy and red, it’s your transmission fluid or “ATF” for most of us. To check, fill up its reservoir and get back to it in a few days. If you noticed the same leak on the cardboard, better get your mechanic right away to avoid the transmission to slip or give this “grinding” noise.
Now, if you see green or yellowish leaks, it’s definitely a problem with your coolant system. Locate the coolant recovery tank near the radiator and check for any cracks. If you can’t find any, have a mechanic test the cooling system to locate the leak’s origin.
Lastly, a clear non-greasy leak can be water condensed from the air conditioning system or windshield washer fluid. Supposedly it is water from the windshield washer, fill the tank and observe for drips. To better inspect, check the hoses as well.
Make it a habit to check your vehicle’s fluids once in a while because it is the lifeblood of every car’s system.
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