What’s leaking under my car? A fluid color guide

Find the leak first

Slide a piece of white cardboard or paper under the engine overnight. In the morning, the color of the drips and where they landed (front, middle, near a wheel) make identifying the fluid much easier.

What each color usually means

• Clear and watery, under the front passenger side: A/C condensation. Normal, especially in summer.
• Light brown to black, slippery: engine oil. Often from a gasket or the oil drain plug. Check the oil level on the dipstick.
• Green, orange, pink or yellow, sweet smell: coolant (antifreeze). It is poisonous, and its sweet taste attracts children and pets, so wipe up puddles.
• Red or pink, thin, toward the front or middle: often automatic transmission fluid or power steering fluid.
• Clear to yellowish or brown, slippery, near a wheel or along the brake lines: possibly brake fluid. Don’t drive the car.
• Blue, green or orange and very thin, near the front: usually windshield washer fluid.
• Smells like gasoline: a fuel leak. Don’t start or drive the car, and keep flames and cigarettes away.

When not to drive

• You smell gasoline.
• The fluid could be brake fluid, or the brake pedal feels soft.
• The oil pressure or temperature warning light is on.
• The leak is fast enough to leave a puddle within minutes.

In these cases, leave the car parked and call us instead of driving it in.

Why small leaks are worth fixing

A slow oil or coolant leak is easy to ignore until the level drops far enough to damage the engine or make it overheat. Catching a leak early usually means a smaller repair, and leaking fluids also damage roads and storm drains.

How we handle it here

• We find the source, not just the drip: we clean the area, check fluid levels and, for coolant, pressure-test the cooling system.
• We explain what is leaking and how urgent it is, and give you the price before any work starts. Nothing is done without your approval.
• We are open 24/7, and we speak English and Spanish.