maximizese

My wife has the car right now so I'm not able to take a look at it, but I noticed a small puddle (about 1.5 oz) of yellow-gold colored oily fluid that collected in the garage where the front-passenger's side of the car would be. I'm guessing it's probably power steering fluid because I'd expect the engine oil to be black after 2K miles since the last change. The oil doesn't have much of an odor, feels contaminant-free, and has a synthetic feel to it. Can anyone venture a guess as to what's leaking and what I should do about it?

Thanks in advance.

maseace

Maybe she took it in for an oil change without telling you, and it's leakage from new oil being spilled?

thomas1

I too suspect engine oil, but maybe brake fluid...The brake fluid reservoir is on the passenger side of the 400h hybrid. There is no power steering fluid...THe car uses electric power steering rack.

maximizese

I'm 90% sure it's transmission fluid. I peeked underneath the car today and there's a little buildup of fluid along the seams of the transaxle. It loses a few drips per day when it's parked, but who knows what it could be losing while its in operation on the road. I'll have my mechanic take a look when I get the timing belt changed soon. Does anyone know the type of ATF a 2007 Rx400h uses? I'm not sure if CVTs take something special or not.

smassey321

Fluid on the seam between the engine and trans is most likely coolant from the hybrid system inside the transaxle. The coolant is pink. The transmission fluid was a darker red. Mine was covered under the extended warranty. They replaced the complete transaxle.

The trans fluid is standard Toyota ATF WS.