I see bright green or orange fluid leaking under my car near the front. Is it safe to drive?
Bright green, orange, or pink fluid is engine coolant (antifreeze), and a coolant leak should be addressed within 24 to 48 hours to prevent overheating. Check your coolant reservoir level — it should be between the Min and Max marks when the engine is cold. If it is below Min or empty, add the correct type of coolant (check your owner manual for the right color and specification). Common leak sources include a cracked or loose radiator hose (visible, usually easy to fix with a new hose clamp or hose replacement at 20 to 50 dollars), a leaking radiator (visible wet spot on the radiator body, repair costs 300 to 900 dollars), a failed water pump (usually leaks from a weep hole on the pump body, replacement costs 300 to 600 dollars), or a leaking heater core (you may also notice a sweet smell inside the car or foggy windshield, replacement costs 400 to 1,000 dollars). You can drive short distances if you keep the coolant topped off and monitor the temperature gauge. Do NOT drive if the temperature gauge goes above normal — pull over immediately.
