There are common causes for cars to leave trails of fluid underneath them after they’ve parked, and most of the time it’s nothing to worry about. However, if fluid is leaking from under the car for more than a few hours and it’s already soaked the ground, it may be a situation you should take seriously. Here are five common causes for cars to leave trails of fluid underneath them after they’ve parked. If you find any of these on your car, it might be time to visit the mechanic.

1) Coolant leak
A leak in the coolant system, or a major problem with or clog in the radiator, can cause big problems. Coolant is essential for a properly running engine and if enough of it leaks out, it can cause engine damage and even an engine fire. Coolant leaks are usually greenish-yellow in colour and pretty distinct, so you won’t have any problem figuring out where it’s from. The coolant reservoir is usually located underneath the passenger compartment behind the radiator.

2) Oil leak
Oil leaks are more common than coolant leaks and can be worse because oil is much stickier than coolant. Oil that leaks onto the hot engine can easily cause an engine fire, so you should always be on alert for oil leaks and act quickly to stop them if possible. Oil leaks are usually a more opaque colour, but still relatively transparent. The oil reservoir can be located in the engine bay or under the compartment, depending on the car’s design.

3) AC leak
Leaked refrigerant can form a cloud of bubbles and drastically reduce the efficiency of the AC system. If you can’t find a leak using your eyes, look for signs on the ground – it’s usually in the colour of water and can look like puddles on rough pavements. The compressor is usually located in front of or behind the engine, underneath the passenger compartment.

To prevent any future problems, you should also check your car’s fluid levels and change them if they are low. Coolant levels should be checked every two to three months, while oil should be checked on a regular basis when you are taking your car in for repairs or maintenance. In all cases, if you find fluid is leaking from under the car and it doesn’t look like water, you should get it looked at before anything serious happens!