Why is My Car Leaking Water?

Is water leaking from under your car? It’s usually not serious. In most cases, your air conditioner is simply venting condensation onto your Princeton driveway. You’ll find these small puddles underneath the back of your engine compartment. It’s also normal to find exhaust condensation pooling around your tailpipe. That said, it could indicate some serious issues. Read on for help with determining whether your car leaking water is nothing or something to worry about. If you find you need an inspection, explore the service specials at Mercedes-Benz of Princeton and reach out to book a service appointment in Lawrenceville! 

Determining the Cause of Leaking Water

Is your car leaking water? If water is leaking from under your car, it’s likely not an issue, but Hamilton drivers should follow these steps to determine if the water indicates a serious issue or not. First: 

• Put a piece of paper under the leak. This will allow you to look more closely at the hue of the puddle. If it’s green, blue, or yellow, the leak is probably coolant from your radiator. 
• If there are large puddles, chances are you’ve blown a gasket and coolant has leaked into your gas tank and is being combusted along with fuel. In this case, white smoke will likely be venting from your tailpipe. 
• Coolant is easy to spot, due to its color, but if you’re unsure, take a moment to check your coolant levels in your radiator. If there are any dramatic drops, the puddle may indicate a radiator leak. 
• If the “water” is ever so slightly green or blue, it may be windshield wiper fluid from a cracked reservoir. During the winter, water can freeze in your wiper fluid tank, which can cause the plastic to expand and crack. You’ll usually find wiper fluid leaks by your front tires. 

Determining Fluid By Color 

If the water leaking from under your car isn’t quite clear, take a look at all the possible fluids that could be leaking, depending on what color the puddles from your leak are: 

• Orange – Transmission Fluid or Radiator Coolant
• Yellow – Radiator Coolant
• Red – Transmission Fluid or Power Steering Fluid
• Dark Brown – Brake Fluid or Older Engine Oil
• Light Brown – Newer Engine Oil or Gear Lubricant
• Pink – Power Steering Fluid or Transmission Fluid
• Green – Antifreeze from Water Pump, Hoses, or Radiator
• Blue – Windshield Wiper Fluid

Get Help From the Mercedes-Benz of Princeton Service Department 

If your car is leaking water or some other fluid, and you’re unsure of how to scale the problem, reach out to Mercedes-Benz of Princeton for help near Mercer County. Our phone number is (609) 910-5826. We can get to the root of the problem and fix your car effectively and affordably. While you’re here, take a moment to read our handy guide on how often to check your oil!