Oil Leaking from Car

Spots on the driveway and a dropping oil level mean something under the hood has given way. Let's find out where it's coming from.

If you're seeing oil under your car, the first step is confirming it's actually engine oil. Engine oil is typically dark brown or black and slippery. Transmission fluid is reddish. Power steering fluid is clear or light brown. Coolant is usually green, orange, or pink. Once you've confirmed it's oil, note where the puddle sits relative to the car — front-center points to the oil pan or front seal, slightly back and center could be the rear main seal, and toward the sides suggests valve cover gaskets.

The amount and frequency tell you the urgency. A few drops after sitting overnight is a seep — annoying and worth fixing but not an emergency. A puddle the size of a dinner plate after a few hours of parking is a significant leak that needs immediate attention before the oil level gets dangerously low. Check your dipstick regularly if you know you have a leak. Running an engine low on oil — even briefly — causes exponentially more wear than running it full.

Our mobile mechanic team in Jacksonville, FL will come to wherever your car is leaking and trace the problem to its source. We bring degreasers, inspection mirrors, and the experience to tell a $50 drain plug fix from a $500 rear main seal job. Most common leak repairs — valve covers, oil pans, drain plugs, and filters — we handle right there. No need to park it at a shop for days. Call (904) 788-7272.