The spot on the driveway is worth identifying
Most vehicles leak a little of something eventually, and the first sign is usually a spot where the vehicle parks. It is worth a minute to find out what it is, because the color tells you a great deal.
Slide a sheet of white paper or cardboard under the vehicle overnight, roughly where the drip lands. In the morning, look at the color and feel the texture.
Brown or black, slick. Engine oil. A small seep is common on older engines; a spot that grows quickly, or a level that keeps dropping between changes, is worth a look.
Green, orange or pink, slightly sweet smelling. Coolant. Keep children and pets away from it and book a cooling system check.
Red or reddish brown. Often transmission or power steering fluid.
Clear and watery, near the front passenger side. Usually condensation from the air conditioning. In a hot climate that is normal, and it is the one spot not to worry about.
Why it matters at an oil change
An oil change is the natural moment to have a leak traced, because the vehicle is already up and the underside is in plain view. Tell the store about the spot when you book, and mention whether you have needed to top up between changes. A slow oil leak onto a hot exhaust is more than a stain on the driveway.
While it is in, a quick look at belts, hoses, tires and lights costs little. Anything that is due goes on scheduled maintenance, here as well. The national oil change page covers what the service includes.
This is the Commercial & Consumer listing; the Phoenix city page explains the others.
About this store
The Phoenix store opens at 7:00 AM, runs eighteen services, and is managed by Patrick Taylor.
See the national oil change page for all 33 locations.