Fluid Leaks Threaten Dependability:

Remember the anxiety you felt the first time you noticed that puddle of water under your car at a rest stop during a vacation?  What a relief to discover it was only condensation from the air conditioner.  That's about the only kind of fluid leakage that doesn't warrant concern according to the staff at Buehler Automotive & Transmission. Any other drips or puddles are omens of potential car trouble, even a safety hazard.

A common practice is to put up with a minor leak until it's convenient to get it fixed, especially when you are away from home.  Delaying such repairs, which often involve nothing more than tightening a hose or gasket, can be costly.  
The best way to find and/or prevent leaks is to keep the engine clean and check under and around the vehicle periodically for spots indicating leaks. Keeping gaskets, hoses, and connections in good condition will prevent most of such problems from occurring.  
In your own driveway it's relatively easy to locate and identify a leak.  At night you can spread paper under the suspicious spot for closer scrutiny the next morning. In a rest stop or parking lot, however, you first have to determine if the leakage has actually come from your vehicle.  It could be from the one that previously sat in that space.

Your next challenge would be to identify the fluid.  Colour and texture are your main clues.  For example, greenish or yellowish water near the engine is antifreeze; red fluid is from the automatic transmission; greenish/brownish oil is from the power steering; any oily liquid usually without much colour but with a pungent odour is likely to be brake fluid; a thin smelling like gasoline is probably just that.  Leaking oil, antifreeze, or gasoline around an engine is hazardous, the latter being the leading cause of car fires. It may be necessary to have a gas leak repaired before starting the engine. Check fluid levels frequently on a long trip, especially if there is a possibility of a leak.

If you have any other questions feel free to call us at Buehler Automotive & Transmission in Alma.  It is our goal to provide you with safe, worry-free motoring and to keep you abreast of the latest technology in automotive repairs.  Our phone number is (519) 846-9221.