Power steering fluid: This can be red, reddish-brown, or brown if it is old. It’s thin in consistency, with an oily feel. It can smell like burnt marshmallows. Your mechanic can inspect your power steering system.

Automatic transmission fluid: This also starts out red when new, then progressively turns reddish-brown as it wears and the miles pile up. It feels oily and slick, and thinner than your engine oil. It will smell like petroleum. If you find this, a transmission inspection is in order, especially if you notice other signs of a transmission problem, like delayed shifting when the engine is cold.

Coolant: This can be an indicator that there is rust in your cooling system, and the rust particles have mixed in with the coolant.

Coolant feels slimy and has a sweet odor. The top cause of serious engine damage is loss of coolant.

If your car consistently loses fluid, contact your repair facility immediately.

Have your cooling system inspected.

Automatic transmission fluid: This can also turn an orange-ish color as it ages. A mechanic can inspect your transmission to confirm.

Coolant: This comes in many fluorescent colors, and can leak from many places throughout your cooling system.

Coolant has a sweet odor and a slimy texture. Losing coolant will lead to overheating if not addressed, and if the engine overheats, you can be left stranded and with a huge repair bill.

An inspection of your cooling system can identify the source of the leak.

Windshield washer fluid: This is thin and watery, and smells like window cleaner. It can come in other colors, including green.

Check to see if your washer fluid reservoir is cracked, or have a technician look at its seals and lines.

Brake fluid: This hydraulic fluid starts out as light yellow, then gets progressively darker over time and can end up dark brown if it’s not maintained. Brake fluid will feel oily to the touch, is very slippery, and may smell like fish oil.

IMPORTANT: If you find this, it isn’t safe to drive your car. Instead, get it to a mechanic, where the brake system can be inspected. Brake lines or other parts may need repair or replacement.

Engine oil: This starts out as a light brown shade when new, then turns darker brown over time, eventually becoming nearly black.

This is after picking up dirt and byproducts of combustion as it circulates through the engine over thousands of miles.

Engine oil has a distinctive smell (check your engine dipstick to get a whiff and compare), and feels thick and slippery to the touch.

Water: This fluid looks and feels like … water! It’s likely the result of condensation draining from your air conditioner, and is no cause for alarm.

Gasoline: You can best detect gasoline by its distinctive odor, not its texture.

IMPORTANT: If you detect a gasoline leak, it’s unsafe to drive your vehicle. Call your mechanic for advice on how to proceed.