You notice fuel, oil or fluid under a parked car - what should you do?
CarAlert · Published 10 September 2026 · Updated 10 September 2026
A puddle beneath a car can be harmless condensation or a sign of a leak. From the pavement, you usually cannot know which.
CarAlert exists for exactly this awkward gap: you can see the vehicle and its registration, but you do not know the owner and should not need their personal details just to pass on a useful warning.
What to do
- 1Do not touch or taste unknown fluids.
- 2If there is a strong fuel smell, fire risk or immediate hazard, move away and contact the appropriate emergency authority.
- 3For a non-emergency observation, send the owner a CarAlert describing what you saw.
- 4Avoid telling the owner what component has failed unless you genuinely know.
Important
- Unknown automotive fluids can be hazardous.
- An app alert is not a substitute for emergency response where fuel, fire or roadway danger is involved.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is every puddle a leak?
- No. Water from air conditioning can be normal, which is why the alert should describe the observation rather than diagnose it.
- When is it urgent?
- Strong fuel smell, fire risk or a dangerous spill warrants appropriate emergency action.
CarAlert is an independent Irish community vehicle-alert service. It is not an emergency service, enforcement body, insurer or vehicle-owner directory. For collisions, crime or danger, contact the appropriate official channel. Browse all guides.