Small stains or an occasional drop of fluid under your vehicle may not mean much.
But wet spots deserve attention; check puddles immediately.
You can identify fluids by their color and consistency:
- Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colors indicate an overheated engine
or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator.
- A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil.
A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak.
- A red oily spot indicates a transmission or power-steering fluid leak.
- A puddle of clear water usually is no problem.
It may be normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioner.