Car fluids are essential for ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly. You may find liquid spots under your vehicle after parking it for a while. This is an indication that your car’s fluids are leaking. This article will focus on the most common fluid leak, engine oil loss. Before we get into the common causes of oil leaks and how to avoid them, let’s quickly discuss other types car fluid leaks.
These fluids are:
- Antifreeze Fluid Spill – A thick, yellowish, pink or greenish area around your vehicle could indicate an antifreeze fluid leak.
- Steering Fluid Leak This leak is usually found in the front of the vehicle. It can be either brown or red and is typically thin.
- Water Leak– It is possible to fix water leaks under your car. This leak will likely cause a small pooling of clear, odorless liquid.
- Transmission Fluid leak If your car is stationary, you might notice a thicker patch of red or brown fluid around your midsection. This could indicate a transmission fluid problem.
- Brake Fluid leak – An oily spot that appears to be clear or brown near your car’s wheels may indicate that your brake fluid has leaked.
You may have one or more of the above leaks if you notice a fluid patch around your vehicle. These leaks aren’t as common as oil leaks.
How important it is to maintain your car’s oil level
Your car’s engine is the most important component. It plays a key role in keeping it moving. There are many parts to the engine that work simultaneously while your car is moving. This is because of the friction created by the movement of all engine components. The engine oil acts as a lubricant, reducing friction between all components and ensuring smooth operation. It also prolongs the life expectancy of all the engine parts.
High-quality oil is essential to keep your engine moving smoothly. You should change your oil regularly. Absolute Car Care recommends that you change your oil every 5 months, or every 5,000 miles. Excessive friction will cause corrosion in your engine if you don’t change your oil regularly.
Failure to change engine oil according to manufacturer’s recommendations can cause oil to lose viscosity or lubricating power. This is what experts in the auto maintenance industry call “becoming dirty”.
An oil leak can often be caused by infrequent engine oil changes. A parked car with an oil leak may have a brownish-colored puddle under its front. However, it is worth noting that many cars have a cover under the engine to make it easier to identify an oil leak. You may need to inspect your car more closely in order to determine if an oil leak is present. This includes popping the hood and looking under your engine to see if oil has accumulated around your engine.
There are many factors that can predict the outcome of an engine oil leak.
1. Gaskets and Oil Pans that are worn out
Oil that you add to your engine for oil lubrication purposes will be held in place by a pan and gaskets. These are typically located at the bottom. You should not drive on roads that are very rough or have large amounts of gravel or other debris. This can cause the pan and gaskets to become damaged and the oil to slowly leak.
2. Incorrectly Installed Engine Oil Parts
If:
- Too tight fitting of the oil pan and gaskets. When fitting pans and gaskets, it is best to distribute the tightness evenly
- The oil filter is loosely fitted, causing oil to leak as it flows into your engine
3. Defective Valve Seals & Rings
Small oil leaks can occur if the rings and valve seals in your engine oil system become damaged.
Engine oil leaks can occur anywhere your car is stationary. They can also occur while your car is moving. If this happens, the engine heat will cause the oil to leak and produce a distinct odor.
