Have you ever noticed iridescent rainbow stains on your driveway after it’s rained?
One of the simplest ways to do that involves a large piece of cardboard and some detective work.
Wait: As a safety precaution, Farrell recommends waiting for the engine to cool down before getting started.
Put down the paper: Place a large, light-colored piece of cardboard underneath the car.
“verify the cardboard extends beyond the width of your vehicle,” Lim tells me.
You could:
-Tape several pieces of cardboard togetherplacing the tape on the underside only, if possible.
-Glue or tape pieces of white paper on top of the cardboard.
-Use a light-colored tarp or old sheet.
Wait some more:Leave everything in place overnight.
The identification
Check the cardboard (or sheet, or butcher paper, etc.)
“The stained cardboard tells quite a story,” says Farrell.
“For example, oily spots dripping straight down likely come from the oil pan or filter areas.
Greenish liquid pooling near the front signals coolant from the radiator, hoses, or water pump.
Brake fluid may eat through the cardboard, indicating a leak higher up around calipers or brake lines.”
Transmission fluid is usually red or green and slippery.
Coolant can be pink, green, or yellow, feels slimy, and smells sweet.
Power steering fluid is clear to light brown, and has a burnt-marshmallow smell.
Brake fluid is clear to light brown, and feels oily but not slick.
If it looks like you have multiple leaks, Farrell recommends troubleshooting in order of difficulty.
“Catching problems early by ‘reading’ that cardboard could prevent thousands in repair bills down the road.”
