[GEOTITLE] [GEOADDRESSONE] [GEOADDRESSTWO] [GEOPHONE] Directions
Store Hours [GEOHOURSMONDAY] [GEOHOURSTUESDAY] [GEOHOURSWEDNSDAY] [GEOHOURSTHURSDAY] [GEOHOURSFRIDAY] [GEOHOURSSATURDAY] [GEOHOURSSUNDAY]
Current Location
[GEOTITLE] [GEOADDRESSONE] [GEOADDRESSTWO] [GEOPHONE] | Directions
Store Hours [GEOHOURSMONDAY] [GEOHOURSTUESDAY] [GEOHOURSWEDNSDAY] [GEOHOURSTHURSDAY] [GEOHOURSFRIDAY] [GEOHOURSSATURDAY] [GEOHOURSSUNDAY]
Go

News

25

What's Leaking From My Car?

posted on 8/25/2016 7:17:32 AM
You go out to your car, start it up, pull out of your parking space and see a puddle of...something...where you were parked a moment ago. This is never a good feeling. What could it be? 
 
Fortunately, some automotive fluids are dyed different colors to make this a little easier to narrow down. 
 
Does it appear to be water? Were you recently running your A/C? Chances are that's just condensation from the A/C system, which drips out through a rubber tube and is perfectly normal. No worries there. 
 
For years, antifreeze was dyed a bright green to make it easy to identify. Today, other antifreeze formulations can be colored pink or orange, but it's still not hard to figure out -- antifreeze has a sweet-ish, unmistakable smell due to its ethylene glycol content.
 
Gasoline is a pale yellowish or orange color, and also has a distinct smell that you'll recognize right away. Gasoline evaporates quickly and may feel cool on your finger if you dip it into the puddle. It's also, of course, very flammable!
 
Motor oil is honey-colored or perhaps darker, depending on how long it's been in the engine, and is slippery when rubbed between thumb and forefinger. Transmission fluid has the same slippery feeling as motor oil, but is dyed a magenta color and may have a somewhat sweet smell. 
 
Power steering fluid is clear and often may feel more slippery than motor oil. Brake fluid is also very slippery and may have a more hazy yellowish color. 
 
What To Do About A Leak
 
If you regularly see a puddle under your vehicle that's bigger than an inch or two across, slide a sheet of cardboard under the engine and between the front wheels when you park it in the evening.
 
Leaks can be difficult to pin down on a vehicle that's already grimy and oily underneath (especially since the path of the leak will be blown backwards while driving). One way to isolate the source of a leak is to safely lift and secure the vehicle, get underneath it and clean the bottom of the engine and transmission with brake cleaner or a similar solvent. Spray the entire area with foot powder, which should then clearly show where the leak is originating. 
 
Leaks can be troubling, but older vehicles with high mileage tend to have gaskets and seals which dry up and shrink, causing at least minute leaks. Got any concerns? Make an appointment with us and let us track down that leak and fix it!
Categories: Auto Repair 101 | View Count: (87) | Return

Related

Visit Our Shop

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (864) 582-5695
Fax: 864-582-5963
Address: 1011 Asheville Highway
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Powered by Net Driven
Login

High-Quality Tires in Spartanburg, SC

We understand that the tire buying process can be a bit overwhelming. That's why we make it easy to find the right tires for you online or you can give us a call at one of our convenient Spartanburg locations. We have a large selection of tires from brands like Michelin®, BFGoodrich®, Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Cooper and many more! We also carry industrial, farm machinery, and lawn and garden tires. No matter what you need them for we have the tires for you!

Auto Repair Services in Spartanburg, SC

Tires are only part of our business. We have a long-standing track record of providing top-notch automotive repair! Our ASE-certified technicians have the experience and know how to tackle any job, from brake repair to full engine replacements and exhaust work. We also offer diesel services. You can see our full list of repair services here.

Make sure you also drop by our coupons page to see all of the current deals, rebates, and specials on tires and auto repair!