What are those drips on your driveway?

If you have ever experienced a fluid leak, but not sure whether you are losing oil, transmission fluid, coolant or brake fluid here is a simple, but effective method to diagnose what type of fluid is leaking.

Place an old sheet or large piece of white cardboard under the vehicle overnight. In the morning you will have your answer. If the leaks have the following color, you have a good indication of what type of fluid your vehicle is leaking.

Bright Green or Reddish: Radiator coolant, this is also very slippery to the touch.

Light or Dark Brown: If you change the oil often it will be light brown, if not the fluid will be a darker brown.

(under the motor) Make sure to change you engine oil every 3-5,000 miles.

Bright Blue: Windshield washer fluid.

Light Brown: If there is also a strong odor of rotten eggs, this is 90 weight or gear lube. It may be leaking from the rear axle center section or the manual transmission.

Red Fluid: Automatic transmission fluid or power steering fluid. (Depending where the fluid is coming from, it could be long life coolant.)

Clear: Power steering fluid or water from the condenser on the AC unit.

Light Yellow/Brown: Brake fluid is light yellow when new. As it absorbs water the fluid becomes a dark muddy brown. Brake fluid absorbs 2% water over a one-year period under normal braking conditions. This is very important fluid and should be changed every other year.
Amber: Gasoline, but there will be a distinct odor.

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