Oil Pressure and Stains Under the Car: Minor Detail or Engine Emergency?

A stain under the car is worrying, but it doesn't always mean a serious fault. A dark, oily stain under the engine is usually engine oil. A greenish, pink, or orange liquid closer to the radiator is coolant. A perfectly clear, watery puddle under the middle of the car in summer, when you've been running the air conditioning, is simply condensation — completely normal.

To check, slide a piece of cardboard under the car overnight and look the next morning at the colour, size, and location of the stain. A few drops after a long stop are often a normal "sweat" from an ageing gasket. A growing puddle that appears daily is a real leak that needs diagnosing.

A red oil pressure warning light on the dashboard is a different matter entirely. It's one of the few signals that leaves no room for "I'll drive a bit further." An engine running without sufficient oil pressure loses lubrication between metal parts — serious damage can occur within seconds. If this light comes on while driving: pull over safely as quickly as possible and shut off the engine immediately. Don't continue "just to the garage."

Distinguish this from the low oil level light, which simply means top up oil soon, with no need to stop immediately. If unsure which light you're seeing, treat it as the former — better to stop and check than guess in traffic.

The most common causes are too low an oil level, a failing oil pump, a clogged filter, or sometimes just a faulty sensor. On the road, there's no way to tell the difference — so the reaction should always be the same: shut off the engine, check the level on the dipstick.

Got a stain under your car, or is your oil pressure light on? Come see us — we'll find the cause and tell you honestly whether it's minor or needs fixing right away.