It’s never a good feeling to find some mystery fluid underneath your car. Gulf Breeze Automotive wants to help you to understand what the types of fluid might be, so you can get the problem solved right away.
Brake Fluid
If you’ve got a brake fluid leak, that’s bad news for your car’s ability to stop when you need it to do so. Brake fluid is extremely greasy, and if it’s leaking you’re most likely to spot it near one of the four wheels of your car. You might have a brake fluid leak if your brake pedal feels soft or squishy when you try to stop.
Power Steering Fluid
Without power steering fluid, your car becomes infinitely more difficult to control. The power steering fluid flows through the power steering pump and all the hydraulic hoses that help the power steering system to function. You might not see the power steering fluid as it leaks, but you’ll definitely notice a change in how well your car steers, which can be your first sign of trouble.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid flows through your car’s transmission, including all the gears, lubricating and cleaning the transmission. Transmission fluid is usually red or reddish-brown in color and ideally it’s fairly translucent. As the transmission fluid picks up more gunk, it takes on a more opaque appearance. You’re most likely to spot transmission fluid under the rear of your car.
Engine Coolant
Coolant is one of two fluids that helps to keep your car’s engine cool. Engine coolant circulates through a variety of hoses and tubes as well as the water pump and the radiator. As the coolant circulates near and around the engine, it picks up heat. The radiator is where the coolant is able to dispel that heat. You can have coolant leaks almost anywhere underneath the engine compartment. Where you find the fluid helps you to determine where the leak originates.
Engine Oil
Engine oil is one of the most crucial fluids in your car. It circulates through the entire engine of your car, lubricating the engine parts and keeping them cool. But it also keeps your car’s engine clean because it picks up debris like metal shavings and dirt and carries it back to the oil filter. An engine oil leak means that this crucial fluid isn’t getting where it needs to go to keep your car’s engine running properly.
Worried about some fluid you found under your car? You’re right to be concerned! Gulf Breeze Automotive in Gulf Breeze, FL can help you to figure out what’s happening with your car and get your repairs completed quickly.