Why is the car dripping water?
3 Answers
Water dripping from under the car is a normal phenomenon, mainly due to car condensation. Air conditioning system dripping: The car's air conditioning system is equipped with an evaporator inside the dashboard. When the air conditioning is turned on, the surface temperature of the evaporator is very low, and the moisture in the hot air inside the car will condense on the surface of the evaporator's heat-absorbing fins. The water droplets are collected by the evaporator's plastic casing and discharged outside the car through pipes. If the vehicle is parked for a while, you may sometimes see a puddle of very clean and transparent water. Compressor external dripping: Sometimes, the compressor installed in the engine compartment can also condense moisture from the air, causing it to drip onto the ground. If the low-pressure pipes are not wrapped with thermal insulation foam, the surface of the pipes can easily condense moisture from the air, and water droplets often gather and drip from the lowest point of the pipes.
I've seen cars dripping water many times, and I've encountered this situation frequently while driving various vehicles. Most of the time, it's just the natural drainage after using the air conditioning. When the car's AC is running, it extracts moisture from the air, and this water collects and drains out from under the car, so finding water droplets there when parked is completely normal, especially during hot weather when the AC is used often. However, if the dripping doesn’t stop or is accompanied by a strange odor, it could indicate a coolant leak. The cooling system is responsible for keeping the engine cool, and if it leaks, it may drip green or pink fluid—this requires immediate inspection to prevent engine overheating and damage. Also, don’t overlook the condensation from the exhaust system. After a cold start, clear water droplets may drip from the tailpipe, which is a normal physical phenomenon. In short, occasional dripping while driving daily is nothing to worry about—just make sure to observe the liquid’s color and location promptly. If the issue persists abnormally, visit a repair shop to avoid letting potential safety hazards grow. Regular maintenance of the AC and cooling system can help minimize these minor issues.
Back when I was young and just got my first car, I used to panic whenever I noticed water dripping underneath, fearing it was a leak damaging the vehicle. Later, I learned that in most cases, it's just condensation from the AC system. Cooling the air produces condensate, which is drained outside through a dedicated tube—especially noticeable after summer drives. However, pay attention to the drip location: if it's under the engine bay, it might be coolant leakage (the fluid will be colored); clear droplets near the exhaust pipe are normal exhaust condensation. Abnormal dripping, like excessive amounts or oily/smelly fluid, could indicate transmission fluid leaks—a serious hazard. I also discovered during rainy seasons that worn door seals allow water seepage, causing interior drips—inspecting rubber seals helps prevent this. For maintenance, just periodically clear the AC drain to avoid clogs—no need to overstress this minor issue.
