Learn To Identify Potentially Harmful Leaks With This Easy Guide

Mazda3 3

Almost everyone who has taken care of a car for a couple years has encountered this dreaded problem. You are all set to go to work, coffee in hand and the kids in the back to drop off at school on the way, when you see a small puddle that formed under your car overnight. It didn’t rain recently, so what is this mystery fluid seeping from your car, and is it a danger to you? Fortunately, we have a quick guide to help identify these strange liquids that might be leaking from your #Mazda.

 

The first thing to evaluate is color and texture, which are the major indicators of what type of fluid is leaking. Light brown to black indicates engine oil, reddish and thin or brown and thick is transmission fluid. Reddish or light brown and thin is power steering fluid. Clear to brown and slick denotes brake fluid, yellow, green or pink and slimy is coolant, and clear and thin is just water. Use a small stick or tongue depressor instead of your finger to test the consistency.

 

The other important factor is location, so placing a piece of foil or cardboard under your car overnight can help differentiate between power steering fluid and auto transmission fluid, which have the same color. However, power steering fluid falls from near the front while the other drips from the middle. All of these can be readily fixed by a quick trip to a mechanic, but if the liquid is brake fluid DO NOT drive, and instead, call a tow truck. Driving could quickly damage your car, leading to repairs.

 

If you have any concerns about the proper maintenance of your Mazda, visit our team at Cardinale Mazda or check us out online as www.cardinalemazda.com.

 

 

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Cardinale Mazda

500 Auto Center Circle

Salinas, California 93907

Phone: 877.989.9252

Website: www.cardinalemazda.com