why is your check engine light on?

Even if you don't consider yourself to be an auto enthusiast, it's in your best interest to take a proactive approach to issues with your vehicle. If you can identify a potential problem soon after it starts, you'll likely be able to get it fixed before it becomes an expensive issue — and before it threatens to leave you stranded on the side of the road. You should get in the habit of pulling your car out of your driveway and looking at the asphalt. If you notice small puddles of fluids, it's a sign that something is leaking — and this means that it's time to schedule an appointment at your local auto repair shop. Here are some types of leaks that you may notice.

Oil Leak

Drips of oil on your driveway are dark brown in color, and while it may be difficult to identify an oil drip by sight, you can stick your finger in it to see if it has an oily texture. Oil drips on your driveway suggest that there may be a small leak in your engine, and you don't want to lose the necessary volume of oil, as this will force your engine to work harder than it should. If you notice some oil drips right after you've had an oil change, however, this simply could mean that a bit of oil was spilled onto your vehicle's frame during the oil change and has now dripped off. Thus, if you detect oil after an oil change but the problem doesn't persist, it's not a concern.

Coolant Leak

Coolant leaks are easy to identify by the marks that they leave on your driveway. Typically, coolant is either orange or yellowish-green, and it often has a fluorescent hue. Drips of coolant on the driveway suggest that there could be a small leak in your coolant reservoir or a coolant hose. When you're low in coolant, your engine is at risk of overheating. This means that upon identifying this leak, you'll want to take the vehicle to a garage as soon as possible.

Gas Leak

Drips of gas on your driveway have a multicolor, shimmery appearance when you look at them from different angles. If you've just filled up your gas tank and overflowed it a little, gas may run down your body panels and drip on your driveway. However, if it's been a while since your last fill-up and you're noticing these marks on your driveway, it's possible that a gas line is leaking. To avoid wasting money each time you fill your tank, book a repair appointment.

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