Summer is simmering down and as fall rounds the corner, the time to get your ride ready for the winter is quickly approaching. It’s no secret that getting your vehicle into tip-top shape is important for the winter season. You want peace of mind when you slip behind the wheel and if your vehicle hasn’t had service in quite some time, you might find some issues down the road. So if you want to get ahead of the crowd and service your Nissan, be sure to head over to our site to schedule a service appointment and our pros will get your ride back into tip-top shape in no time! Don’t forget to check out our service specials to save big on your service with us!

Since we’re talking about service this week, we want to bring up an issue many drivers run into. Have you ever pulled out of your parking spot and noticed a puddle/stain right where your vehicle was? As the panic starts to set in you question if it was left by the car before you or if it is your vehicle. If this has happened to you then you’ve experienced a fluid leak in your vehicle. This can be frustrating because your vehicle has many fluids in it, and figuring out where it’s coming from can be hard. But did you know that you can figure out what is leaking from your vehicle just by the color and texture of the fluid? Well, lucky for you we have your go-to color guide below. So if you find yourself in this situation you can identify the issues and service it quickly, right here at Younger Nissan of Frederick! 

LIght brown to black: 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a brownish/black color, chances are its motor oil. This can leak from various spots of your vehicle, but if it is leaking from the center and the odor smells like rotten eggs, the culprit could be a lube oil leak. 
• This won’t stop your vehicle dead, but it means that there is an ongoing issue and you should bring your vehicle in for a professional examination

Light yellow to dark brown:

• Brake fluid stars out as a clear/yellow color and as it ages it becomes dark brown, similar to motor oil. An easy way to distinguish is simple, just feel the fluid. If the fluid feel slippery, it’s likely brake fluid. If this is the case, your vehicle not safe to drive and you’re going to want to bring it in for repair as soon as possible. 

Red(ish): 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a red or reddish color, it’s generally power steering fluid. Power steering fluid will leak from under the front part of your car and is thin in texture. If this is the case, there is an issue with the power steering pump. 

Orange: 

• If the leak is from the center of your vehicle and the fluid is an orange/reddish-brown color, it could be transmission fluid. However, rust from your radiator mixing with an antifreeze leak can appear orange-ish as well. However, antifreeze will be thin and can leak from anywhere, which could help you determine the difference. 

Yellow, Green, or Pink:

• These leaks will be the easiest to spot, and typically the simplest to diagnose. More times than not, the cause of such bright puddles is a simple coolant leak. In these cases, your vehicle’s age comes into play. Older vehicles tend to blow off a bit of coolant when the engine gets too hot, so a few little spots are nothing to worry about.
• If your vehicle is newer, this coolant shouldn’t be dripping any excess liquids so it might be a good idea to bring it in for a look.

Clear: 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle looks like water, it probably is water. The air conditioning can build up excess condensation and result in puddles of water underneath your vehicle. This occurs in properly running cars, only be worried if it becomes constant and a lot.