If you notice any fluid stains or puddles underneath your vehicle, then it might be a good idea to get your vehicle into your local NAPA AutoCare Center.

There are a number of fluids that can leak from your vehicle, with many of them leading to a possible breakdown and expensive repair if neglected. Remember, your vehicle is a machine. Becoming familiar with your machine regarding the type of fluids it requires to operate properly will help you know what kind of fluid leak that you might be experiencing and what system that may be affected by the leak.

Some leaks are obvious, where others may play ‘hide and seek’ with you. Knowing what to look for and where to look can help you avoid a costly repair, as long as you find it in time. Below are some helpful hints as to the type of fluids used in today’s vehicles, as well as various colors and other characteristics to help you identify them.

Tip: If you can’t find the location of the leak on your vehicle, place fresh newspapers under where you think your leak is overnight and then check them in the morning. Take your vehicle and the newspaper with the fluid to your local NAPA AutoCare Center for help in locating the leak.

Engine Oil
Engine oil is typically dark-brown or black in color. At times, you might see a few drops here and there and this might be all right if you recently have had your oil and oil filter changed or performed this service yourself. This can largely be attributed to the location of the oil filter on the engine and some old oil may have dripped upon some of the vehicle chassis or a small about was spilled onto the engine when dispensing the new oil into the filler area. While a few drops shortly after an oil change might be okay, you want to make sure that ‘puddles’ of oil do not occur.