What to do if your car is leaking?
Friday 23rd December 2022
What to do if your car is leaking?
It can be alarming to see fluid leaking from your car, though it may not be cause for concern right away. It is important to check to see where the leak is coming from, and whether it is actually coming from your vehicle rather than where you have parked.
Once you have found the leak, it is essential to check where exactly the leak is coming from within your vehicle and what is leaking. The best way to do this is to check the colour of the leak by placing white paper or card under where the leak is coming from to capture the drips. This will help you determine what liquid is leaking and what you should do about it.
Car leaking water
If your car is leaking water, it is unlikely you will need to do anything about it as it should clear up on its own. Leaking water can be caused by:
- Windscreen washers
- Condensation from the aircon unit in the summer
- Condensation from the exhaust in the winter
If it is difficult to identify the leak, or there is more than just a little leak from your car – we recommend you check that the clear fluid is actually water to determine whether there isn’t more of a serious issue.
Car leaking fuel
If your notice a puddle of a brownish hue that looks multicoloured when the light reflects off it, you are most likely leaking petrol or diesel. Both diesel and petrol have strong distinctive scents that is reminiscent of a petrol station, so the leak should be easier to spot. The reason for a fuel leak could be due to a hole or crack somewhere in the fuel tank.
Although these leaks are more common around areas where pumping is careless, if you notice it when you have parked up elsewhere – you should not ignore the problem. You should avoid driving as fuel is highly flammable and could be dangerous as well as costly. We recommend you visit your local autocentre where a trained mechanic can patch up or replace your fuel tank if needs be.
Car leaking transmission fluid
Red fluid leaking from your car could be transmission fluid. The reasons for this include:
- Cracked fluid lines
- Broken seals
- General wear and tear
- Failing gaskets
We recommend you check the fluid levels using the dipstick in your car by following the owner’s manual and avoid driving, as your car may not operate properly. This could be dangerous to yourself and other drivers and may cause further damage. We advise you have your car towed to your nearest autocentre and have a professional look over it.
Car leaking oil
If the leak from under your car is of a black or brown hue, it is most likely to be engine oil. To be sure, you should feel the consistency. If it feels slick and is hard to remove from your fingers and hands – it is surely engine oil.
If the leak is just a few drops, you may be able to fix the problem yourself if it is from a valve cover gasket. Be sure that your oil tank is filled to the appropriate level if you do continue driving so that you do not cause any further lasting damage to your engine.
If you struggle to fix the leak yourself or if it is more severe than just a few drips, we recommend you take your vehicle to your nearest autocentre and let a professional take a look over it.
Car leaking power steering fluid
A leak of a reddish-brown hue that is located near the power steering is more than likely to be power steering fluid. Another sign would be the sweetened burnt smell coming from the leak. This leak signifies there is an issue with the tubing and hoses that carry the fluid from the pump through to the steering rack. This could be due to a crack or a loose connection.
We recommend you check the fluid levels to check how serious the leak is and how low the fluid is running. Whilst you can still drive with a power steering fluid leak, continuously driving on low levels of fluid, in general, can cause lasting damage to your car and should be avoided where possible. Although the leak may be easy to fix yourself by tightening the connection, a crack may require you to have a trained mechanic look at the connecting parts such as the hose which may need replacing.
Car leaking brake fluid
If you suspect your car is leaking brake fluid, this is a serious issue that should be seen to as soon as possible. Without brake fluid, you will not be able to safely control or stop your vehicle. You should not drive your car as soon as you notice the leak and contact your local garage right away.
Car leaking coolant
If your car is leaking coolant, you may be at risk of overheating. This is because coolant helps to maintain the car’s temperature which means it can leak from all parts of your car due to many coolant hoses around the engine. We recommend getting this seen to as soon as possible to avoid any lasting damage as a cracked reservoir or anything else unfixable will require specialist help at a garage to avoid getting caught out on the road.
Avoid any leaks by booking in for an interim service to ensure your vehicle is performing as it should. Simply visit your nearest Formula One Autocentre or contact our helpful team to find out more.
