What to Do if Your Car is Leaking Water

If your car is leaking water, you probably have nothing to worry about. However, a car that’s leaking one or more other service fluids will need closer attention and repairs. If you think that you see water leaking from under your car, making sure that it’s really water should be your first step! 

Why is Water Leaking from Under Your Car?

Water pooling under your car is usually condensation from the air conditioning system. If you notice water beneath the tailpipe, it’s probably exhaust condensation. If you notice water by the tailpipe and you also see a significant amount of white smoke, you might be dealing with a blown gasket!

If you don’t think that any of these common issues are causing your problem, here’s what you can do next:

1. Place a piece of white cardboard beneath the leak. You can also use a piece of paper in a pinch.
2. Check the color of the leak. Water will be clear, but all of your other service fluids will have a distinct color.

If you have questions about the color of the fluid you see beneath your vehicle, you can always contact our parts department or schedule service at our dealership near St Paul. However, if your fluid has a definite color to it, reference the list below to identify the source of the leak:

1. Red fluid may be transmission fluid or power steering fluid
2. Orange fluid may also be transmission fluid. It could also be coolant from your radiator, especially if your radiator has gotten a little rusty.
3. Yellow or yellow-orange fluid is probably radiator coolant. 
4. Green fluid can either be windshield wiper fluid or coolant that hasn’t made its way to the radiator.
5. Blue fluid is often windshield wiper fluid.
6. Brown fluid can be brake fluid (when darker) or engine oil. It might also be gear lubricant (when lighter).
7. Pink fluid may be newer transmission fluid, but you might also be looking at power steering fluid.

Although the color of your vehicle’s fluids will change with time–oil will become darker with use, and the same is true for most of your other fluids–making a note of each fluid’s color can help you to identify leaks more quickly.

Our Service Team Can Help With Any Leak!

If you notice water leaking from under your car, we’d be happy to help. Check out our service specials and make the trip in from Richfield or Minneapolis today.