Auto Talk 101: Puddle Under My Car?

Auto Talk 101: Reasons for Dark Liquid Coming Out of Car - as part of the expert series by GeoBeats. Reasons for Dark Liquid Coming Out of Car There are a number of fluids in your car. You have oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid -- in most cases -- , brake fluid, um, all of which can be fairly dark in color. Particularly when they are laying on the ground. So, if you seeing a puddle laying under your car, it's a good idea to get it checked sooner, rather than later. Of course, it's a good idea immediately to check your fluids. Check your oil, check your transmission fluid, and, if you are low, top it off before you drive it. But, then it's a good idea to take it in, have it inspected and see exactly what's leaking. The biggest danger with leaks with any of those fluids, is running the car with it low. The leak itself is usually not harmful, unless it happens to drip on something that it can damage. For example, oil dripping on your belts, or, into your alternator. It can do some damage that way, but, the danger's not really in the leak, it's in the running it low. So, check the fluid and then have the leak diagnosed and repaired.