If you notice any red or pink liquid leaking from the car, it is necessary to immediately understand what is wrong with your vehicle. A pink or red fluid leak from the car primarily indicates a problem with the transmission.
A fluid leak from a car is generally not a good sign and in most cases, it can cause a lot of panic for the owner.
The fluid used in the transmission is a distinctive red or green color. Therefore, it is easy to determine if the leaking fluid is from the transmission or from elsewhere.
Any expert mechanic will advise immediate solutions if there is a problem in the transmission. But can you drive the car with a leak in the fuel line or in some other transmission components?
Why does transmission fluid leak?
The most common reason is a broken, loose, or worn transmission seal. A transmission has various types of seals, including the input shaft seal, output shaft seal, axle seal, and many more in its mechanism. Damage or a hole in any of these will result in a red fluid leak from the car.
A gap in the transmission could be another potential issue. Fluid could escape if there is a breach or crack in the torque converter, pan gasket, transmission pan, or other areas. It is indeed rare to have a leaking seal or a cracked housing, but not entirely impossible.
A leak in the fluid lines could also be the cause of this problem. This type of damage could result from road debris hitting the fluid lines. Heat could be another culprit for this issue. Remember that a hole in the lines drains the fluid quite quickly.
Is it safe to drive when red fluid is leaking from a car?
Safety depends on the severity of the leak. You can drive for years if it’s just a small drip. There is no need to worry as long as the transmission fluid remains at the proper level. However, it is recommended to fix the leak as soon as possible. It could affect the vehicle’s performance and lead to complete transmission damage.
A low transmission fluid level will warn you through various signs such as slipping, increased RPM, gear hunting, car speed being out of sync with gear shifting and acceleration.
In this case, you should no longer drive the car and call a service center to have it towed to the repair shop.
Ignoring the symptoms will only worsen the problem over time. Eventually, it will end in transmission failure.
Remember that repairing a small leak will not cost much, but it will cost thousands of dollars if the hole enlarges or the transmission stops working.
How to stop the red fluid leak from the car?
There is nothing else to do but take care of the car and bring it to a repair shop for regular maintenance. All transmission seals are made of rubber and wear out with regular driving.
Just like other components such as brake pads and tires, seals also wear out over time. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to have cracks, holes, or damage in various transmission components.
So, when you see a red fluid leak on a car, check the fluid level and take the necessary measures.
Other possible causes behind a red fluid leak from the car
Besides transmission fluid leaks, engine coolant leaks and power steering leaks are two potential culprits responsible for pink or red fluid leaks from the car. Below, we will give you more information about them.
1. Engine Coolant Leak
Engine coolant functions to keep the car engine’s temperature stable by circulating around different parts of the engine, and its color is pink or red.
If you notice that the red or pinkish fluid leaking from the car has a sweet smell and resembles water, it is very likely engine coolant. The place where you are likely to see an engine coolant leak is usually under the engine or the radiator.
To confirm the issue, you need to check the reservoir (it’s a semi-transparent bottle with “low” and “high” markings under the hood) and if you see that the coolant is insufficient, inspect the radiator (it’s located right behind the grille at the front of the car) – that’s what you need to do.
Remember not to open the radiator cap right after turning off the car, as you could get burned by the hot steam.
After removing the radiator cap, you can easily see the coolant level in the radiator, and if it’s impossible to see, it seems there is a leak in your cooling system and you should need a mechanic’s help.
2. Power Steering Leak
Power steering fluid is designed to help the driver turn the steering wheel more easily. So, if this fluid is leaking, you will notice it during low-speed turns and encounter more resistance from the power steering than usual.
If your car’s power steering fluid is leaking, you will typically detect a pink car fluid leak or red fluid leaking from the front of the car (near the front bumper). This fluid has a slight smell of burnt oil and resembles water.
The power steering system should be sealed and protected, so if there is a leak in your car’s system, you should have your car inspected by a specialist.