At some point, we have all experienced the fear of unknown fluids under the car. When this happens, you’re probably going to worry about what fluid is leaking and what the newfound leak means for your day. You might worry if your car is safe to drive, and how much the repairs will cost. Before you get too worried, let's get an idea of how to identify the fluid leaking from your car.  First of all, let's break the fluids down into two groups; oil-based and water-based fluids. The oil-based fluid category will include Motor oil, Transmission Fluid, Differential Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Brake Fluid, and Fuel. To tell the difference most oil-based fluids will leave a rainbow on wet surfaces and have a noticeably oily feel.  To help you further determine the fluid in question see if you can tell the color and location of the fluid.         Fuel ... read more

The cooling system has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat and the water pump. The water pump is the heart of the system. Your heart keeps blood pumping through your body, and the water pump keeps coolant pumping through your engine. Driven by a belt, chain or gear, the water pump operates while the engine is running. With a limited life span, your water pump needs to be changed sooner or later. Your owner's manual will tell you how long your water pump should last. Most water pumps fail by 100,000 miles, or 160,000 kilometers. Water pumps don't wear out, they fail. They either work or they don't. A failed water pump must be replaced. Water pumps can have leaks or have their bearings fail. Leaks may come from a cracked pump but can develop where they attach to the engine. Listen for a low-pitched grinding coming from the water pump. This means it's time for a new one. If you see coolant leaking in that area, it needs to be replaced. Coolant on you ... read more