Experiencing a leak in your car can be alarming and stressful, but understanding the situation can help you respond appropriately. Some car leaks are less serious than others, and not all of them need the services of a mechanic to fix.
How do you identify what’s leaking out of your car? Can you fix a car leak by yourself? Does your auto insurance cover car leaks? Read on to learn more about car leaks and what to do when they happen.
For this guide, our content team reviewed CAA’s vehicle warning-light guidance, Transport Canada’s recall and defect tools, Transport Canada’s power-steering leak safety finding, and FSRA’s explanation of losses an Ontario auto policy does not cover.
My Car Is Leaking: What Should I Do?
Below are some things you may notice about your car when it’s leaking, along with action steps you can take.
| What you notice | Immediate action |
|---|---|
| Fuel smell or fuel-like liquid | If you see fuel-like fluid or smell fuel, turn off the engine, keep sources of ignition away from the vehicle and arrange for professional help. |
| Brake warning, soft pedal or reduced braking | If the brake warning comes on, the brake pedal feels too soft or braking performance is impaired, arrange a tow. Do not drive the vehicle. |
| Oil-pressure warning or fast oil loss | If an oil-pressure warning occurs or oil is lost rapidly, stop the engine immediately. Do not restart the engine. |
| High temperature, coolant warning, steam or overheating | Do not remove a hot cooling-system cap. If the vehicle becomes overheated, such as with a high temperature indication, coolant warning, or steam, stop driving immediately, switch off the engine and wait until the vehicle has cooled down. |
| Heavy steering or power-steering warning | If your vehicle starts to become difficult to steer or you receive a power-steering alert, pull over and have the vehicle checked. |
| Unknown fluid from an EV or hybrid, damaged battery area, heat, odour or smoke | If an electric or hybrid vehicle has a leak of unknown fluid, a damaged battery area or there is heat/smell/smoke coming from a vehicle, stay away from the vehicle, DO NOT touch the fluid and call roadside/emergency services. |
| Small clear, odourless water after air conditioner use | If a small amount of clear, odourless fluid is noticed after use of the air conditioner and there are no warning indicators and no decrease in performance, observe. |
How To Identify If My Car Is Leaking And If It’s Serious
Never get underneath a car supported only by a jack. Don’t taste the fluid or intentionally breathe in the smell.
If there is no urgent warning and the car is stable and cool, try placing clean cardboard under your car without getting underneath, then check for stains. Mark the front of your car and keep observing. Track size, location, time, and growth. Also note recent service, dashboard notifications, weather conditions (temperature and air conditioner operation), and any recent impacts or potholes. Record any strange smells from a distance.
| Clue | Possible source |
|---|---|
| Clear water near the passenger side after A/C use | Air-conditioner condensation |
| Brown to black, slippery fluid | Engine oil or another contaminated lubricant |
| Red, amber or brown oily fluid | Transmission or power-steering fluid on vehicles that use it |
| Green, orange, pink, blue or yellow watery fluid | Engine or battery cooling fluid |
| Clear to amber oily fluid near a wheel | Brake fluid |
| Blue liquid near the front or rear | Washer fluid |
What Not To Repair By Guesswork
Guessing at repairs can damage parts. For example, you can damage threads, force oil to leak more readily, or warp covers by tightening bolts on valve covers, oil pans, and other parts more tightly than the manufacturer specifies.
Check warranty information, your owner’s manual and the Transport Canada recall database by providing the make, model, model year and vehicle identification number (VIN) before performing repairs. A Stop-Leak product can be unsuitable for your vehicle or hide a larger fault. Some repairs involve draining fluids, high-voltage isolation, lifting or other controls. Diagnose problems before purchasing parts or Stop-Leak products.
Contact the shop if something goes wrong after servicing. Notify them before performing further repairs that could destroy evidence of what went wrong.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Fluid Leaks?
| Cause | Insurance question | Other route to check |
|---|---|---|
| Gradual seal or hose failure | It would generally be considered a maintenance/mechanical breakdown issue to have seals or hoses wear out. | Check the manufacturer’s warranty, service contract or repair shop. |
| Impact with another vehicle or object | Collision coverage may respond if the leak resulted from a covered collision, subject to the deductible and policy terms. | |
| Vandalism or insured non-collision event | If the policyholder purchased Comprehensive or specified-perils coverage, it may cover vandalism or another insured event that doesn’t involve a collision. | If applicable, consider other insured incidents such as vandalism. File a police report if applicable. |
| Defective part or repair | The policy may distinguish the failed item from resulting insured damage. | Also look into defective part(s), such as the manufacturer’s recall or warranty, or improper repair as another avenue. |
First, take any necessary emergency measures. Then, if possible, document the leak and any apparent damage with photos. Ask your mechanic to save the failed part if you can do so safely.
Check the conditions of your insurance policy for leaks or damage resulting from mechanical failure, deterioration, corrosion, etc. Call your insurance company before authorizing the repair. Describe what happened, provide photos of the damage.
Auto insurance typically does not pay to replace parts that fail through wear, corrosion, deterioration or mechanical breakdown, including leaking seals or hoses. However, if the leak was the result of an event such as collision or vandalism, and if optional physical-damage coverage was purchased, the leak or separate resulting damage may be covered, subject to deductible, conditions, exclusions and other terms of the policy.
Read More: See When Car Insurance May Cover Engine Failure
How Can I Prevent Car Leaks From Happening In The Future?
Take proactive steps to help avoid leaks.
- Follow your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule and use the right types of fluids, not a universal kilometre interval. Stay on top of recalls.
- Get unusual warning lights, smells, spots, braking, steering, or temperature issues checked promptly.
- Keep copies of service records and invoices. Take photos and write down dates.
- After repairs, watch for leaks where repairs took place by checking where you park and monitoring fluid levels as described in the owner’s manual.
Read More: Use the Car-Maintenance Checklist to Prevent Future Leaks
What To Tell The Repair Shop
- Model year, powertrain and vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Current mileage
- Change in performance, such as braking, steering, temperature, unusual noises/smells, etc.
- Warning light, including which one and what the message says
- When you first saw the warning sign(s)
- Puddle, including where, what colour, how fast it is growing, and photos
- Recent repairs
- Recent collision or road impact