Red Fluid Leaking From Car: Check One Of These 4 Liquids! 

The red fluid leaking from car might indicate different problems and causal factors. Indeed, there are several liquids sharing the red colors (detailedly, the engine coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid), and their leakage signifies distinct malfunctions and issues. 

Today, Driverevolve will list all potential circumstances and causes for the red leaks; cross them out one at a time until you identify the actual issue and culprit! 

1. Engine Coolant

Definition And Characteristics 

Engine coolant is primarily available in 2 different shades: red and green. They’re nearly identical in performance, but the red one possesses superior antifreeze qualities and better stand the test of time. 

Thus, if you reside in a colder area, your automaker may advise you to utilize the red coolant rather than the green one to protect your cooling water from freezing in those frigid winter months.

 Red coolant is a vibrant liquid with a consistency similar to milk. 

How To Identify The Problem And The Solution

The leaked fluid is probably your coolant if the liquid spilling beneath your vehicle matches this overview.

This causes coolant to be burned alongside the gasoline, resulting in the loss of coolant liquid. Once the coolant is burned in the combustor, it creates thick white fumes. 

You probably have a damaged head sealant if you notice the leak from your tailpipe. Other signs may entail troubles starting the power unit, motor malfunctions, and heater bubbles.

If you don’t observe any of those signs, you most likely have a modest leak in your cooling mechanism. In this case, discover where the leak occurs precisely, fix the root issue, and learn how to put coolant in car yourself or simply visit a reputable service engineer.

2. Transmission Fluid

If you’ve ever searched for “What color is transmission fluid?” you’ll know the new fluid is red.

If what is leaking isn’t engine cooling water, it might be a transmission fluid leakage. 

Definition And Characteristics

Transmission fluid is typically denser in texture and deeper in color compared to engine coolant.

If the liquid seeping beneath your automobile is similar to what we described, you most likely suffer a transmission fluid problem. 

How To Identify The Problem And The Solution

But how can you tell for sure? The simplest method is to inspect the transmission fluid amount.

Different vehicles have various techniques for checking transmission fluid levels. A few automobiles mandate the motor to be toasty before starting, while some necessitate the power unit to be running. Read your car’s booklet for the proper procedure.

Below is our quick guide on how to check the transmission fluid level:

• Find your transmission testing stick, which is usually behind the motor and has a red or black lever. The yellow one is for the motor oils.
• Draw it out, wash it, and re-insert it entirely into the transmission fluid container.
• Take out the test stick again to see the markings. There is typically a max and min indicator on the test strip or 2 dashes. Your transmission fluid should lie between those marks, ideally near the maximum point.
• You most likely experience a transmission fluid spill if the liquid is at or under the lowest line.

If you still want further proof that there is a transmission fluid problem, here ar are a few signs that might happen while traveling:

• Troubles shifting gears: If your car has a manual transmission, you’ll have difficulties changing the gearboxes. In the meantime, an automatic car may refuse to change gear settings. For example, you won’t be able to switch from P to R. When traveling, it may fail to follow the ECU gear-changing command.
• Automatic gearbox wobbling or unexpected twitches: Please note that this is, more often than not, common in specific kinds of dual-clutch transmitters, notably when restarting the engine from a stop.
• Grooving or rattling sounds.
• A burning odor: Transmission fluid is used to lube the gearbox while keeping the vehicle heat optimal. A shortage of transmission fluid might make the engine heat up, leading to a burning odor.
• Your automatic gearbox’s performance might be weak.

If you notice any of those signs, do not neglect them! They indicate that either the transmission fluid is insufficient or there is a malfunctioning part inside the gearbox. 

Overlooking the above signs will result in additional gearbox impairment, and fixing a transmission is prohibitively costly compared to the transmission fluid leak cost of repair.

3. Power Steering Fluid

The next part of your vehicle that utilizes red liquid is your power steering. 

Definition And Characteristics

Power steering is a hydrodynamic mechanism that employs high-pressure fluid to magnify the steering power implemented by the car owner. As a consequence, the steering becomes much more lightweight and easier to control.

However, automated power steering is now present in most car models. Put simply; it employs a series of cogs operated by the vehicle’s power to support the controller in wheeling. Thus, if your car possesses automated power steering, you can eliminate this possibility.

If your vehicle has a hydro-power wheel, the mechanism might be leaking. 

How To Identify The Problem And The Solution

When a leak occurs, the car loses liquid, which causes the below side effects:

• Difficulties when turning the wheel: Since the hydrodynamic mechanism requires the proper volume of liquid and power, turning the wheel is more problematic. With reduced fluid, the pressure drops, resulting in less support when turning the vehicle.
• Extreme vibrations or locked steering wheel: If you notice your car shakes when accelerating or locks the wheel, you’re likely to have a power steering fluid leak. However, this issue may also be credited to poorly balanced tires at high velocities.
• Your car makes noises when turning, notably the squealing and whining sounds.

If you are experiencing power steering issues, either your car necessitates a power steering fluid refill or there is a malfunction resulting in the mechanism lacking this liquid. 

You should replace the power steering liquid after 70,000 to 90,000 miles. So, if you’ve gotten to that point and haven’t replaced the liquid, changing it is advisable. Most vehicles pay approximately $125 for a new power steering fluid.

4. Brake Fluid

Definition And Characteristics

This is less common because most automotive brake liquid is opaque with a yellow undertone, comparable to frying oil.

However, a few brake liquids are reddish, so check the shade of your vehicle’s brake liquid. Simply examine the color of your brake fluid storage tank for the main cylinder, which is also located in your engine compartment.

If your brake fluid is yellowish, the red fluid underneath your vehicle is caused by one of the 3 previously listed factors. You’ll need to take another look or pay a skilled technician to diagnose problems and fix the issue. If it’s reddish, you might have encountered a brake fluid leak.

 The brake mechanism, like hydro-power steering, is hydrodynamic. Once you push the brake pedal, the system circulates braking liquid through the brake pipes. Once it gets to the calipers, it forces the vernier caliper into interaction with the braking propellers, slowing the vehicle down.

As previously stated, without the proper level of liquid, the mechanism will lack pressure and will not function properly. 

How To Identify The Problem And The Solution

If your braking pedal feels spongy and your deceleration power becomes less strong than normal, you may experience a leak in your brake mechanism. Here’s how to identify which components of your braking system cause the problem:

 To simplify the task, park your vehicle on a jack stand and clean the area where you have seen the spills. You can also leave your car on top of a tarp. Turn the key to work the engine and then push the brake pedal. This causes the liquid to flow across the pipes and find its way out of the car.

The location of the spill of brake fluid indicates the position the brake fluid is escaping. If the release is in the center part of the automobile, it is most likely a leaking brake pipe. The braking components are broken if the liquid flows from around the tires. It’s most likely a caliper gasket malfunction.

The leakage could also be from your primary cylinder. If that’s the issue, you should find your car leaking fluid front passenger side or in the engine compartment.

Wrapping Up 

There are 4 different liquids in your car that may cause red leaks. Hopefully, today’s post has helped you identify what the red fluid leaking from car is and pinpoint the root cause of each case. 

Although the signs and consequences of these leaks aren’t clear in the early stages, they can damage your car severely if not treated soon and probably. Thus, if you notice any leakage, have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

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