Why is my car leaking fluid? Answers from Des Moines' best auto repair
There's a spot under your car and you don't know what it is or how bad it is.
You're right to check it. The color tells us a lot, and brake fluid or fuel leaks should be looked at before you drive.
Not safe to drive if you notice
- Slippery fluid near a wheel
- Soft or sinking brake pedal
- Warning light with a leak
Visit the shop
- 5875 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321
- Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- 515-745-0934
Is it safe to drive when experiencing fluid leak under car?
Usually yes. Clear water under the front passenger side is usually normal AC condensation. A brake fluid leak affects your ability to stop, so do not drive on it.
Usually safe to drive
- Clear, watery drips under the front passenger side in summer.
- A small, slow spot of oil with no warning lights.
- The spot stays small and the fluid levels hold steady.
- The car drives, shifts, and brakes normally.
Not safe to drive
- Clear to light yellow, slippery fluid near a wheel.
- The brake pedal feels soft or sinks.
- A puddle grows quickly or fluid is pouring out.
- The oil light, temperature gauge, or another warning light comes on.
- You smell burning or see smoke from fluid on hot parts.
Not safe to drive? Stop and call us now.
Pull over somewhere safe and call Joey's Auto Shop at 515-745-0934. We'll help you figure out your next step.
What the color of the leak means
Slide a piece of white cardboard under the car overnight, then look at the color and where it drips.
Engine oil
Brown to black and slick. Low oil can starve the engine of lubrication.
You need Oil Change ServiceCoolant or antifreeze
Green, orange, or pink with a sweet smell. A coolant leak can lead to overheating.
You need Cooling System RepairTransmission fluid
Red or reddish brown. Low fluid can starve the transmission of lubrication.
You need Transmission FluidPower steering fluid
On some vehicles, red or reddish fluid near the front is power steering fluid.
You need Power Steering Fluid ServiceBrake fluid
Clear to light yellow and slippery near a wheel. Have this checked right away.
You need Brake Fluid ServiceAC condensation
Clear and watery under the front passenger side is usually normal, especially in summer.
What you can check first
A few things you can do before your visit:
Slide white cardboard under the car overnight.
Note the color of the drips in daylight.
Note where it drips: front, middle, rear, or near a wheel.
Notice whether the fluid feels watery, oily, or slippery.
Check for a sweet smell, which points to coolant.
Watch for any new warning light on the dash.
Ready for a clean driveway again?
Call Joey's Auto Shop, a Des Moines People's Choice Winner 2022 through 2026, or make an appointment and tell us what's going on.
We find the cause, not only the symptom
The fix can be a loose drain plug, a worn gasket or hose, or in some cars a head gasket. The shop traces the leak to its source instead of just topping off.
- Step 1
We test
The shop cleans and inspects the area, checks fluid levels, and traces the leak to where it starts.
- Step 2
We show you
You get a digital inspection with photos and notes in plain language, so you see what we see.
- Step 3
You decide
Nothing starts until you approve it, and we confirm the fix before you pick up your car.
Which fluid leaks are urgent?
Brake fluid leaks affect your ability to stop, so do not wait on those. Coolant leaks can lead to overheating. Oil and transmission leaks can starve parts of lubrication if levels get low. Even a slow leak can drip onto hot exhaust parts and burn. Clear water under the front passenger side is usually just AC condensation and is normal.
Is water dripping under my car normal?
Usually, yes. Clear, watery drips under the front passenger side are almost always condensation from the AC, and they are most common in summer. The drips should feel like plain water and have no smell. If the fluid feels slippery, smells sweet, or has any color, it is not water and is worth a check.
What are the most common sources of leaks?
Most leaks come from worn gaskets and seals, cracked hoses, or a loose drain plug or filter. Sometimes a leak comes from a head gasket, which can also cause coolant loss and white exhaust smoke. Finding the exact source matters, because topping off fluid only hides the problem until the level drops again.
How do I check what is leaking under my car?
Slide a piece of white cardboard under the car overnight. In the morning, look at the color of the drips, how they feel, and where they landed. Brown to black is often oil, green, orange, or pink is coolant, red is often transmission or power steering fluid, and clear and slippery near a wheel may be brake fluid. Bring the cardboard along to your visit.
Other symptoms we can help with
See All Symptoms
Engine Overheating
A temperature gauge in the red, steam from the hood, or a sweet smell means your cooling system needs attention right away.
Learn More
Transmission Slipping or Shifting Hard
Revving without speeding up, delayed or harsh shifts, or a burning smell are signs your transmission needs attention.
Learn More
Spot on the driveway?Let's find where it starts.
Make an appointment and tell us what's going on. We explain your options before any work begins.