How To Check For Car Leaks?

It's seldom a good indicator that your vehicle is leaking. Before you run out of fluid, you'll want to get those problems fixed. On the other hand, cars are sophisticated machines; determining the source of a problem might be challenging or even impossible without an adequate understanding of what's wrong.

Attending your car's maintenance may not be the most exciting way to spend a Saturday, but it is essential. Here are some things about car leaks you should know how to identify.

Transmission Fluid

Transmissions need fluid to operate properly. Your automobile will not function correctly without it. The transmission may be found in various locations based on your car. 

The fluid can be either red or brownish, depending on the type of transmission fluid you have. Transmission fluid prevents the gears in your car from grinding down and acts as a coolant for your transmission. 

If you think there may be a problem with your transmission, check the floor beneath where your car is parked - you might notice dripping fluids. 

Four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive vehicles tend to have leaks between the front and back. 

Front-wheel drives typically have issues with leaking fluids in the front of the car. Most SUVs are either rear or four-wheel-driven, while most crossovers, hatchbacks, and sedans boast a front-wheel layout. 

Depending on the damage, leaks can either be small or large. For instance, if your Kia has a tiny leak, take it to a Kia service center for help identifying and fixing the issue. But if you're greasing up the pavement with oil from what appears to be your transmission, hail a tow truck so you can get your car to the shop without incident.

Coolant

Modern engines necessitate the use of water cooling to maintain an acceptable temperature. The vast majority of today's vehicles are pre-filled with coolant. Manufacturers recommend a specific type of coolant. 

If it's sold as a concentrate, coolant is typically diluted in distilled water; if it's marketed as a pre-mix, it can be poured straight into the system. Leaks in your automobile's front near the radiator are possible locations for them. 

If you detect a coolant leak, take your automobile to a mechanic. It indicates that one of your hoses or radiators has a hole and must be fixed or replaced. Small leaks are nothing to worry about, but if you don't have the time to visit your mechanic for the problem, be careful with your coolant level and check it regularly. 

A possible solution to your radiator issue is only filling it with distilled water. If you're losing a lot of fluid, don't hesitate to call a tow truck to avoid any overheating issues on the road.

Engine Oil

Engine oil, like transmission fluid, will be a light brown to black-colored liquid greasy to the touch and has the viscosity of syrup. 

It should be darker if your oil is old, which means you're getting close to your next oil change. If your automobile just got an oil change, a lighter fluid should seal out if there is a leak. 

Typically, a dipstick leak is discovered on the road or the floor. You might also get an oil leak from your oil pan, which is the most visible component of your vehicle. To discover where the leak originates, examine your oil lines and gaskets. 

If your car's oil level is low, don't worry--a few drops won't hurt. An easy way to fix the problem is to search “Kia oil change near me”, and you will get many options to fix it.  

If you have a more extensive leak or want a more permanent solution, take your car to a mechanic so they can figure out where the leak is coming from. 

An inspection will not necessarily reveal the source of your problem. If, after a brief time, you notice an excessive amount of oil on the floor, contact a towing company or a professional mechanic. 

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is clear when it is new, but it will turn light brown over time. If your car leaks, you may see brake fluid in either of these colors, depending on when the last change happened. Brake fluid generally has a mineral oil-like texture - meaning it will be oily to the touch. 

The brake fluid in your car is typically located near the reservoir under the hood. There is only one since the entire system operates with one pedal. 

Other areas where you may find a leak will be on your calipers, wheels, tires, and lines. 

If your brake lines leak, you should have your automobile taken to a mechanic right away. If your brake lines are leaking, top up the fluid immediately. You will be in an accident if you cannot stop your automobile; therefore, take action quickly if you detect this sort of leak. 

Power Steering Fluid

If you have an older car, it may still use power steering fluid. Most new cars nowadays rely on electronic pumps for power steering, but a few models of SUVs and commercial vehicles don't. 

You're seeking something red to brown and looks like a power steering fluid. Power steering fluid is very thin so you may leak toward the front of your vehicle between the firewall of your engine compartment and the front wheels. 

If you don't address the leak, you could destroy your power steering pump and make driving more difficult. It's simple and inexpensive to top off the fluid, but a damaged power steering pump will result in significant expenditures. 

Water

Is it normal for a car to leak water? Well, if you see water leaking from your car, don't worry unless the leak is coming from your vehicle's cooling system. In that case, it would be best to keep track of how much fluid is in your radiator. 

If you see water leaking from your car, it may not be as bad as you think. In many cases, this is simply due to the drip pan for the air conditioner overflowing with water that has condensed into the system. 

However, if water leaks and it's not coming from the AC unit, you should check your coolant levels. If you've only filled it with distilled water, that could be part of the issue. 

If the leak is coming from the air conditioner, there's no need to bring your automobile to a repair shop; however, if the leak is coming from the front of your car and you've only filled it with water, you should have it looked at.

Final Thoughts

We hope that the following guide will be of some help to you. However, if the issues keep on arising, you can contact Jim Marsh Kia, as we have expert technicians that can help you out in eradicating this issue. We are a Kia dealership in Las Vegas selling new and pre-owned cars.