What to Do if Your Car is Leaking Water

If you notice water leaking from under your car, it’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if the fluid is not water, you may have to make some repairs! So, if you think your car is leaking water, your next step should be to determine the source and location of the leak. Although condensation is the most likely cause of water pooling beneath your vehicle, you might also be dealing with a blown gasket or a leaking fluid reservoir.

Ready to get started? We’ll show you how to make an educated guess about the fluid beneath your vehicle.

Why is Water Leaking from Under Your Car?

Condensation that appears beneath the engine compartment is likely a normal byproduct of your air conditioning system. Water leaking from your tailpipe is usually simple exhaust condensation. Neither problem is cause for alarm.

If you think that something deeper is amiss, take these steps to narrow down the range of possible causes:

1. Place a piece of paper or (white) bleached cardboard beneath the leak. If there’s any color to the fluid, it’s probably coolant. Check your coolant level to see if you’re running low.
2. If the water coming from your exhaust is significant in quantity or accompanied by white smoke, you might be dealing with a blown gasket. Schedule service as soon as possible.
3. Leaking windshield wiper fluid may also pool near your vehicle. If there’s light blue or light green fluid near your front tires, this cause is the most likely culprit.

Replacement fluid is always available at our parts department, but scheduling an appointment at our service center is the best way to ensure that you’ve really identified and solved the problem. We’re just a short drive from Roswell!

How Can You Tell Which Fluid is Leaking?

Checking the color of the fluid leaking from your car is the easiest way to figure out what it might be. Since it can be difficult to assess a fluid’s color on concrete or gravel, place a sheet of paper or a piece of white cardboard beneath the leak’s location. We’ve covered some common leaks and their associated fluid colors below:

• Red Fluid is generally Transmission Fluid or Power Steering Fluid.
• Orange Fluid could be Transmission Fluid or Radiator Coolant.
• Yellow Fluid is often Radiator Coolant.
• Green Fluid is almost always Windshield Wiper Fluid, or Antifreeze from the Water Pump, Hoses, or Radiator.
• Blue Fluid is almost certainly Windshield Wiper Fluid.
• Dark Brown Fluid is frequently Brake Fluid or Older Engine Oil.
• Light Brown Fluid is generally Fresher Engine Oil or Gear Lubricant.
• Pink Fluid is probably Power Steering Fluid or Transmission Fluid.

Make a note of the color of each fluid when you’re filling the reservoirs of your vehicle! Although time and use will alter the colors of many fluids, knowing your baseline can give you a leg up in these situations.

United BMW is Here to Help!

Although a car that’s leaking water may not require immediate attention, other leaks can put you and your vehicle at a significant risk! Don’t put off service. Explore our service specials and make an appointment today. We’ll help you get back on the roads of Marietta and Roswell in no time.