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If you’ve ever owned a car for an extended period of time, it’s likely that at some
point you’ve noticed some ominous liquid pooling or puddled beneath it. Is it oil?
Brake fluid? Antifreeze? For the inexperienced home mechanic it can be difficult
to identify exactly what type of leak you’re dealing with, and so Vesas Automotive
thought we’d give our customers a little crash­course in common automotive fluid
identification. With our help, you’ll be able to spot these leaks early and prevent
further problems by bringing your vehicle in for maintenance!

Slick Stains: Engine Oil
Arguably the most common automotive fluid leak, engine oil can spell disaster for
your vehicle if left unchecked. Vehicles use engine oil to lubricate engine parts to
reduce friction and wear, so low oil levels mean serious engine damage
(especially to older vehicles). When this fluid leaks on road surfaces it often
appears like a permanent damp or wet spot with a rainbow­like sheen on the
surface. Rain and other water sources will usually bead up on the stain rather
than coat it, with new oil shining a yellowish amber color and older oil appearing
black or dark brown. If you see a liquid like this beneath your vehicle, bring it in to
Vesas Automotive ASAP!

The Green­Dyed Monster: Antifreeze
Antifreeze (also known as engine coolant) is the fluid that absorbs and dissipates
heat via the radiator in order to keep your engine cool and running strong. This
fluid will usually appear as an almost florescent green color (though it can also be
orange or pink) and has a sticky, viscous feel to it. A vehicle can continue to
operate with a small coolant leak (though like any other leak should be fixed
quickly) for some time, but the biggest issue with coolant leaks is that antifreeze is
highly toxic to pets and children who could come into contact with it unknowingly.
If you spot this leak, clean it up immediately and schedule an appointment with
Vesas Automotive as soon as possible.

Passing Gas is a Problem
Unlike other fluids, gasoline is one of the hardest liquids to visibly spot when
performing a ground­spot check. Gas evaporates quickly and leaves very little
visible evidence behind, letting small gas leaks go unnoticed until the leak has
grown to actual puddles. Luckily gas has a rather strong aroma that is easily
identifiable, making it possible to sniff for a leak rather than search for it. By itself
the most common problem gas leaks can cause is literally wasting money on
more frequent fill­ups. Still there is also a danger of sparks or flames from a
cigarette igniting the gas and causing an explosion, so get any suspected gas
leaks taken care of immediately!