Traffic accidents and collisions, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events can cause fluid leaks in your car. There are three types of fluid leaks that you might encounter on the road: oil leaks, transmission fluid leaks, power steering fluid leaks, coolant leaks, brake fluid leaks, wiper fluid leaks, and gasoline leaks.

1. Oil Leaks

The engine is lubricated by a thick, slippery liquid called oil. It's this vital liquid that keeps all of the moving parts in your car from grinding into each other like sandpaper. The consequences of a broken oil line or a loose, missing, or cracked oil pan gasket can be disastrous, such as an engine fire.

2. Transmission Fluid Leaks

Your car's transmission fluid is responsible for transmitting the power generated by your engine to the wheels that make your vehicle move forward. The fluid lubricates and cools parts of your transmission while transmitting fuel to the engine as well. At times, you may notice fluid leaking out of the bottom of your vehicle near one or more tires when parked on an incline.

3. Power Steering Fluid Leaks

Your car's power steering fluid is a hydraulic fluid that helps your car's power steering mechanism work to guide an automobile down the road. You may see fluid leaking out of the top of your steering wheel when you turn it. This is normal and should not be taken for granted.

4. Coolant Leaks

You may find coolant leaking onto the ground underneath your engine. This can be a sign of a leak in the radiator, water pump, hose, or cylinder head gasket.

5. Brake Fluid Leaks

If you happen to notice fluid leaking from your brake-fluid reservoir, this is a very weird but completely normal occurrence. Brake fluid is what helps your brake pads clamp on the discs in your car and stops the tire from moving. While it may be necessary to have your brake pads changed at some point or another, the amount of brake fluid should never diminish below 1/4 of a liter.

6. Wiper Fluid Leaks

Wiper fluid is a translucent fluid that acts as a lubricant for the wiper system inside a car. If you notice your wiper fluid is low without using it, you should have it serviced immediately.

7. Gasoline Leaks

You may notice gas leaking from your gas tank as well. If your gas level goes abnormally low, you should have it checked out right away to make sure there's no leakage in your fuel system anywhere else in the car.

How to Determine What Type of Fluid Is Leaking

Here are some tips to help you determine what type of fluid is leaking from your car:

1. Look at the color and consistency of the fluid leaking out to determine what type of fluid it is. Transmission fluid looks reddish-orange, power steering fluid is dark green to black, and oil is golden-brown or dark brown. This will help you determine what type of automotive service you need to have done to fix any leaks that may occur in your car's engine or transmission lineups.

2. Is there an obvious source of the leak? Sometimes, you can see a broken hose or bolt projecting from the side of your car where it is leaking. If you don't see an obvious source of the leak after looking around, take the car to one of your local automotive service centers to have the problem diagnosed and repaired.

3. Check all hoses and belts for cracks or tears. Any torn hoses or belts are excellent candidates for leaks, so address them before they cause more serious problems in your vehicle.

4. Listen closely to any hissing or dripping sounds that follow when your vehicle is turned off and parked on an incline.

5. Examine the filler cap for damage and cracks, which may have caused a leak before.

6. Observe your vehicle's fluid levels to see what long-term changes have occurred:

The amount of fluid in the reservoir through a car's engine normally varies from only a couple of ounces to over 300 pounds or more. The level will increase as you drive your car or when you add more coolant. If there is an abnormal rise in temperature at the radiator, it probably means that the cooling system is overfilled and needs to be adjusted to add more water and lower the temperature of the water before it fails.

The Bottom Committee

It's important to identify what kind of fluid leak you have and determine how serious it is. If you catch it early, there could be a quick and inexpensive fix. The longer you wait to address the issue, the more expensive the repair will be. Take care of your car by checking for fluid leaks regularly and keeping up with routine maintenance. Speaking with a qualified mechanic to help you figure out what type of fluid leak you have should help your vehicle stay on the road for a long time to come. If you need vehicle service, give German Car Depot a call today!