Red fluid leak?
 

I just noticed some drops of red oily fluid in the snow this afternoon. The leak was basically under the front of the car, more or less centrally located. Does red indicate power steering or front differential fluid? I'm a bit worried because the dealership is 50 miles away and I don't know how long this has been leaking. So if it's front diff I'd rather not drive it that far because who knows how much has already leaked out.

This is a shot in the dark but I would say power steering or tranny fluid. I changed a M3 rear diff fluid several months ago using 75W90 and it was light brown.

Power steering fluid normally isn't red but could be reddish/brown but the location in the front points to that. Auto tranny fluid would be near the middle of the car.....GL

It sounds like Automatic Transmission Fluid. Diff fluid should be clear and maybe a bit grey to black if its old.

If the X5 is like most other BMWs, it's leaking power steering fluid which is usually just ATF. They tend to leak where the solid metal parts of the hoses join the rubber parts.

OK, thanks. I thought it was ATF after smelling it but just wanted to make sure. I saw another thread about a front diff seal leaking and freaked out thinking it might be that. I guess I should be able to make it down to the dealership if it's just power steering or the transmission. Kind of strange though, the X5 is less than a year old, so I wasn't expecting leaks this early. :dunno:

its tranny fluid

Tranny or power steering as both are red atf, either way just check levels and you are safe to drive if neither are below the add mark.

How do I check the power steering fluid level? I checked the ATF level under the hood and it says it's full. Does the Power Steering use the same reservoir as the transmission?

If you checked something under the hood, it's probably your power steering fluid. There is no transmission dipstick or reservoir under the hood.

It says ATF right on the cap. I looked in the owner's manual and it doesn't say what it's for. Anyone care to speculate? :D

No speculation. If it says ATF and it's under the hood, it's the power steering reservoir.

It's been 9 days.... what did the dealer say? It's only 50 miles, not 500!

I haven't had time to take it to the dealer yet. I checked the PS fluid level and it says its full. I haven't seen any more red dots in the snow either so maybe it's a very small leak. I doubt the transmission would be leaking after only a year. And if it's leaking then they will probably have to replace it anyway. I'll probably take it up with them when I bring it in for service next month.