Car owners often dread the time when they find a puddle of liquid under their car as it is most likely a leak. However, all leaks are not the same. It is a good idea to put a piece of plywood or cardboard under your car to find out the color of the fluid and source of the leak. A leak in your car can not only be damaging but also reduce its resale value when you plan to sell your car in Abu Dhabi. Here is a guide by CarSwitch.com to help you identify common leaking fluids.
Engine Oil
If the fluid is anywhere between light brown and black, it’s probably coming from the engine. Checking out any leak is essential, but if it’s the engine oil, we recommend you to get it fixed right away. Engine oil leak can lead to a huge repair bill. Regularly checking car fluids is also essential for all car owners.
Brake Fluid
If the leak coming out from your car has a light hue and slippery consistency, it might be the brake fluid. Usually, the source is under the pedal. If you spot this one, don’t drive the vehicle before you take care of the issue. Brake fluid maintains hydraulic pressure which is central to the working of the brakes. A leakage can weaken the system, or worst, make it stop working. If your brakes stop working mid-drive, you can try releasing the brake pedal several times to build up pressure and stop the car. As soon as that happens, take it to the mechanic right away as a brake failure can lead to serious accidents.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is colored red and is considered odorless. It doubles up as a lubricant and a coolant for your car’s transmission. If the transmission fluid is leaking and the levels dip too low, it can be detrimental to transmission. This type of leak can be found in the middle or front of the car. Leaking or low transmission fluid can lead to a faulty car transmission and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
Power Steering Fluid
This one is a little tricky as some automakers use transmission fluid and others use proprietary power steering fluid. So, it might look red or yellowish, depending on your manufacturer. The power steering fluid also has a distinctive smell sometimes, like charred cooking oil. The markings on the reservoir should enable you to determine if the fluid is running low. Other than that, a noisy power steering pump also indicates that the level is low. The leak can usually be spotted on either side of the steering rack. It’s always best to deal with it as soon as possible.
Coolant
A coolant leak can easily be identified by its color – yellow or green to pink. It smells sweet, however, it is highly toxic. If your car loses the coolant, it can have some disastrous outcomes. The lack of coolant can lead to the engine overheating and in the worse case scenario, it can completely destroy your car so its necessary to get it fixed.
Hopefully, this will give you an idea of what is leaking from your car. Keep in mind that you should get any leaks fixed before you sell your car in Abu Dhabi. Looking to buy a car but do not have the time to survey the market? CarSwitch.com gives you the option to browse through our extensive collections of cars anytime and anywhere!
