How to Check Your Car for an Oil Leak
Spotted a drip? Here’s how to tell if your car is leaking oil. A Cranbourne West specialist explains.
Spotting and identifying a leak
Look for drips where you park (engine oil is light-brown to black and oily), check the oil level on the dipstick, and look for oil residue or wet patches around the top and sides of the engine. A burning-oil smell after driving suggests oil leaking onto hot parts.
Reddish fluid is transmission/steering; green/orange is coolant; clear water in summer is just air-con condensation (harmless).
What to do about it
Keep the oil topped to the correct level (never run it low) and get the leak traced — small leaks grow, and running low on oil causes serious engine wear. European engines commonly weep from ageing gaskets, usually a manageable fix caught early.
We clean and use UV dye if needed to pinpoint the exact gasket or seal, then quote the repair.
We’ll take care of it
Prefer to leave it to a specialist? We look after all of this as part of a service or a quick check — with honest advice on what your car actually needs, not what sells.
Book online in 60 seconds or call a Cranbourne West specialist on 03 8782 0711.
How to Check Your Car for an Oil Leak — FAQ
Light-brown/black oily drips where you park, a dropping dipstick level, or oil residue around the engine.
No — keep oil topped and get it traced; leaks grow and low oil causes engine wear.
Oil is light-brown/black; reddish is transmission/steering; green/orange is coolant; clear water is harmless A/C condensation.
We clean and use UV dye to trace it to the exact gasket or seal.
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