If you’re unsure about the maintenance schedule of your car, it is best to refer to the owner’s manual, which is usually located in the glove box. However, there are times when things happen unexpectedly and out of your control no matter how prepared you are or how well you take care of your vehicle. The following article will give you a few examples of what you can do in such scenarios, and will help you trouble shoot the situation and understand what may happen if you don’t seek professional help as soon as possible.
If you see small drips or puddles under your vehicle when parked, there’s no need to worry just yet as there may be many reasons for it. For the most part, this may be water that you may have picked up while driving, which is just now starting to wear off. But sometimes, this water accumulation may be reason for concern, and the tips below will help you determine if that water is harmful or harmless.
First you need to ensure that the water is indeed from your vehicle and not someone else’s. You can do this by placing a dry sheet of paper under your vehicle after parking and check it for wet spots when you return. It is recommended that you colored paper and place it under the transmission and engine area. Reason to place the paper under these areas is to ensure that you are only leaking water and not any other important fluids of your vehicle such as transmission or engine oil.
Generally, puddles of water occur when you run your air-conditioning unit, and are a result of the condensation that occurs inside. If the color of the liquid is green, yellow or reddish in color and thin, then chances are that your engine coolant is from some part of the engine. This could be in the hoses, tank, radiator, or the engine itself. This is definitely not something you can tackle on your own, and must be checked by a professional car mechanical as soon as you can. Also, since you know you have this type of problem, it is best to keep eye on your engine coolant level so that you don’t run out.
Oil stains that are black or dark brown are most likely to be engine oil, and are a common occurrence for vehicles that have been driven for many kilometers and must be checked professionally as well. While waiting for the mechanic to diagnose the leaks, it is best to get the level of the engine oil checked, as low engine oil may result in low fuel efficiency and further engine problems. Brown or red oil stains are probably engine oil and often indicate poor seals in the transmission that need to be replaced immediately. Transmission fluid is important for the overall wellbeing of the vehicle, and neglecting its level could result in expensive repair jobs.
The above mentioned are just some of the common drips and puddles found under a vehicle, but there are many others that can only be diagnosed by a professional mechanic. After reading the above and are still unsure of what the different colors of liquids represent, then it is best to have it checked professionally.
