Can you guys believe that next week is September? Us either! Although we’re all a little bummed about having to say goodbye to summer, fall is right around the corner and there is no better time than now to get your vehicle in tip-top shape! If you have been traveling and hitting the road all summer, it might be time to give your Nissan some well deserved TLC. And even if you haven’t traveled that much this summer, it is a good idea to get your vehicle ready for the winter months ahead of us! If you find that you need maintenance, just schedule a service appointment with us and the pros here at Loughead can get your ride in tip-top shape in no time! 

Since we’re talking about service this week we thought it might be a good idea to bring up an issue many drivers face from time to time. Have you found yourself pulling out of a parking spot and noticing a puddle or stain right where your vehicle was parked? If this has been the case for you then you know that your vehicle has experienced a fluid leak. This can become stressful because there are a lot of fluids in your vehicle and if you don’t know where the root of the issue then it might cost you peace of mind and money to figure out where the issue lies.

However, did you know that you can figure out what is leaking from your vehicle just by the color of the fluid that is on the ground? Yup, it’s true, and lucky for you we have your go-to color guide if you find yourself stuck in this situation! So take a peek below and don’t forget to give us a call if you have any questions or need to schedule a service appointment! 

LIght brown to black: 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a brownish/black color, chances are its motor oil. This can leak from various spots of your vehicle, but if it is leaking from the center and the odor smells like rotten eggs, the culprit could be a lube oil leak. 
• This won’t stop your vehicle dead, but it means that there is an ongoing issue and you should bring your vehicle in for a professional examination

Light yellow to dark brown:

• Brake fluid stars out as a clear/yellow color and as it ages it becomes dark brown, similar to motor oil. An easy way to distinguish is simple, just feel the fluid. If the fluid feel slippery, it’s likely brake fluid. If this is the case, your vehicle not safe to drive and you’re going to want to bring it in for repair as soon as possible. 

Red(ish): 

If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a red or reddish color, it’s generally power steering fluid. Power steering fluid will leak from under the front part of your car and is thin in texture. If this is the case, there is an issue with the power steering pump.

Orange: 

• If the leak is from the center of your vehicle and the fluid is an orange/reddish-brown color, it could be transmission fluid. However, rust from your radiator mixing with an antifreeze leak can appear orange-ish as well. However, antifreeze will be thin and can leak from anywhere, which could help you determine the difference. 

Yellow, Green, or Pink:

• These leaks will be the easiest to spot, and typically the simplest to diagnose. More times than not, the cause of such bright puddles is a simple coolant leak. In these cases, your vehicle’s age comes into play. Older vehicles tend to blow off a bit of coolant when the engine gets too hot, so a few little spots are nothing to worry about.
• If your vehicle is newer, this coolant shouldn’t be dripping any excess liquids so it might be a good idea to bring it in for a look.

Clear: 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle looks like water, it probably is water. The air conditioning can build up excess condensation and result in puddles of water underneath your vehicle. This occurs in properly running cars, only be worried if it becomes constant and a lot.