Have you ever gone out to get in your car, noticed a puddle underneath it, and had an immediate reaction of panic? It’s only natural – when you see fluid under your car, it can indicate a leak (which can mean a toll on your wallet). Our Charlotte Toyota service center is here to help you identify leaks and the causes behind them so you can take on this scary situation with confidence!
Use color to discover the reason behind car leaks
The easiest way to identify exactly where a car leak is coming from is to check out the color of the fluid. Different hues mean different things, and our Charlotte auto service center can offer an explanation for each. Let’s dive in!
If you see a fluid that’s yellow and semi-transparent – kind of like vegetable oil – then you probably have a leak in your brake system. This fluid is almost always brake fluid, and you’ll need Charlotte car maintenance to correct the issue and stop the leak. You NEVER want to put off getting this type of leak fixed – brake fluid allows you to bring your car to a safe and efficient stop, so if you’re leaking it and running low, you can do serious damage to your car.
If you see a fluid that’s dark brown or honey-colored, you probably have an oil leak. The fluid will be the color of honey if you just had an oil change, and it’ll be darker if it’s been a while since you scheduled this routine auto service. Again, don’t ignore this type of leak! You’ll need Charlotte auto service to ensure that the leak is fixed. Leaking oil can cause your engine to overheat, which means a big, fat bill.
What if you see a fluid that’s darker than oil and has a funny smell to it, kind of like gasoline fumes? This can indicate a gas leak, and it can be a drain on your wallet. While these leaks aren’t necessarily dangerous, your fuel efficiency will take a hit over time (and with the cost of gas, who wants that?). Bring your car into our Toyota Service Center in Charlotte to have our techs take a peek under the hood and see what’s going on to save you money.
Let our auto maintenance techs seal up leaks in no time
How about a green- or blue-colored fluid puddling under your car? Hands down, this is a coolant leak. This may not seem urgent, but it’s important to schedule maintenance for your car when this issue is going on. Coolant keeps your car at the right temperature and prevents it from overheating, so you don’t want it pooling under your car instead of doing its job. Let our Charlotte Toyota maintenance techs identify the leak and seal it off.
Have questions or not sure exactly what your car is leaking? Call Toyota of N Charlotte today at (888) 378-1214 to schedule service and chat with one of our techs. We’re just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville!
