Is it Safe Driving with Red Fluid Leaking From Car?

If you observe some sort of pink or red fluid leaking from car, figure out what is wrong with your car right away.

Pink or red fluid leaking mostly indicates a problem with the transmission. The fluid used in the gearbox is a distinctive red or green color.

So, it’s quite easy to determine whether the leaked fluid comes from transmission or somewhere else.

Any expert mechanic will advise immediate fixes if there is any problem in the gearbox. But, can you drive the car with a leak in the fuel line or some other components of the transmission?

Why Does The Transmission Fluid Leak?

The most common reason is a broken, loose, or worn-out transmission leak sealer. A transmission has different types of seals including input shaft seal, output shaft seal, axle, seal, and more across its mechanism.

Damage or hole in any of them will cause red fluid leaking.

A gap in the transmission could be another potential issue. The fluid could come out if there is a breach or slit in the torque converter, pan gasket, transmission pan, or other areas. It is indeed rare to have a leaking gasket or a cracked case, but not completely impossible.

Moreover, a leak in the fluid lines could be the source of this problem. This type of damage could be the result of debris in the road hitting the fluid lines.

Heat could be another culprit causing this issue. Remember that a hole in the lines drains out the fluid pretty quickly.

See More: Is there an Ideal Temperature for the Transmission?

Is It Safe to Drive When Red Fluid Leaking From Car?

The safety depends on how bad the leak is. You can drive around for extended periods if a small drip appear rarely. There is nothing much to worry about as long as the transmission fluid remains at the right level.

However, it is still recommended to repair the leak as soon as possible. It could affect the vehicle’s performance and lead to total damage to the transmission.

A low level of transmission fluid will warn you with various signs such as slipping, increasing RPM, jerking in and out of gear, the car speed being out of sync with the gear change and acceleration, and more.

Ignoring the symptoms will only make the problem worse over time. Eventually, it will end up with the failure of the transmission.

Remember that repairing a small leak will not cost much. But it will cross a thousand bucks if the hole becomes bigger or the transmission stops working.

Other Possible Causes Behind Leaking Red Fluid From Car

Besides transmission fluid leak, engine coolant leak and power steering leak are two potential culprits responsible for pink or red liquid leaking from car.

Engine coolant leak

Engine coolant keeps the engine temperature stable by running around various parts of the engine and its color is pink or red.

If you noticed the red or pinkish fluid leaking from car has a sweet smell and appears like water, it is very likely that it is engine coolant. The location where you likely see engine coolant leaking is commonly under the engine or the radiator.

To confirm the issue, you need to check the reservoir (it is a semi transparent bottle with “low” and “high” markings under the hood).

If you see coolant is not enough, inspecting the radiator (it is right next to the grill at the front of the car) is what you have to do.

Keep in mind not to open the radiator cap right after powering off the car as you might get burned by hot steam.

After removing the radiator cap, you can easily see the level of coolant liquid in the radiator and if it is impossible to see, it seems like there is a leak in your cooling system and you should need the help of a mechanic.

Power steering leak

Power steering liquid is designed to help the driver turn the steering wheel easier. So if this fluid is leaking, you will spot that when cornering at lower speeds and meet more resistance from the power steering than usual.

If the power steering fluid of your car is leaking, you will commonly detect pink fluid or red fluid leaking from front of car (close to the front bumper). This fluid smells like burning oil a bit and looks like water.

The power steering needs to be sealed and protected so if there is a leak in that of your car, you should have your car inspected by a specialist.

How To Determine The Source of Red Fluid Leaking From Cars?

To identify the source of the red fluid leak, you can start by locating the leak under the vehicle. If the fluid pool appears mainly under the front of the car, there may be an underlying problem with the vehicle’s power steering system or transmission.

On the other hand, if the fluid accumulates heavily towards the middle or rear of the vehicle’s chassis, there is a high probability that the cause is a faulty transmission.

Note that the location of the fluid leak does not necessarily mean the cause. Since the fluid can flow along the underbody components before dripping out, it is crucial to look and check further.

Next, after you have roughly located the leak, check the color and smell of the red fluid leak. Transmission fluid is usually bright red, quite clear, and has a slightly sweet smell. Power steering fluid can be somewhat red or pink, or clear/amber, and have a burning oil smell.

You can take the power steering and transmission fluid from the reservoir to compare it with the fluid that has just leaked, from which you can have a more accurate assessment of the fluid type, even if it is not too sure.

If you notice a change in color in the leaked fluid, from reddish pink to brownish brown, this may indicate a fire due to low fluid level and overheating.

You also need to pay attention to the consistency of the fluid to determine the correct type. Typically, transmission fluid tends to be thick and viscous, clinging to surfaces more easily.

You can wear gloves and dip your finger into the puddle of leaked fluid, observing how it flows. If it is thick and sticky, it is most likely transmission fluid, but if the fluid is thinner, it is more likely power steering fluid.

In addition to the above checks, do not forget to check the fluid levels in the transmission and power steering systems. You need to locate the dipstick in the engine compartment of both systems above.

If the fluid level in any system is significantly lower than normal, it indicates a leak in that particular system.

Even if you have visually located the leak, confirming a low fluid level will provide additional evidence and emphasize the urgency of addressing the issue with a qualified mechanic.

How To Stop Red Fluid Leaking From Car?

There is nothing much to do except take care of your car and take it to a servicing shop for regular maintenance.

All the seals in the transmission are rubber and they wear out with regular driving. Just like other components such as brake pads and tires, the seals also wear out over time.

Besides, it’s not rare to have cracks, holes, or damage in various transmission components. So, when you see a car leaking reddish fluid, check the fluid level and then take necessary action.

FAQs on Red Fluid Leaking

Watch the video below from Scotty Kilmer to see how to identify car fluid leaks by smell and color!

Conclusion

Did you enjoy our article? If you have any question about red fluid leaking from car, feel free to leave it below and we will discuss further.

Don’t forget to follow us to get more articles updated by our car bloggers everyday!