Help figuring out what is leaking from my car?
I have a 2011 Ford F150 that recently started leaking some sort of fluid. It started about a week ago and has been getting slowly worse. Before I take it to the mechanic I just want to figure out what it is.
It produces 1 small drip once every 30 minutes or so.
It appears to me to be grey in color which is why i'm having problems figuring it out.
The leak is under the engine, next to the driver side wheel near the suspension.
In the picture the left is a drip that I smeared with my hand and the right is a fresh drip.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Added (1). Update: All fluids have been checked and none are low. 
Mechanic will tell you
Does it leak all the time or only for a while after running the car?
Its entirely possible that its just water which has condensed on the air conditioning system. This is common in warmer weather and does not mean there's anything wrong. Its literally water vapor in the atmosphere that turns to liquid when it touches the chilled components in the air conditioning system. Its literally the same as water condensing on the outside of a cold drink on a warm day.
The reason its gray is because everything under the hood of your truck is covered in dirt and road grime. When the water drips off it touches several components and picks up that grime before finally dripping to the ground.
You touched it. Is it slippery?
I would guess, and this is just a guess, it is brake fluid.
Either brake or steering fluid.
If it is awd have the differential fluid checked.
Your vehicle has a limited number of possible sources of fluid which can leak or drip. Most can be identified by sight, smell and touch, and may include dirt washed off on the way down.
1. Gas/diesel - obvious by smell
2. Coolant - obvious by colour and smell
3. Engine oil - oily goodness - gold to black/brown
4. Trans fluid - thin oil. Red (black when rooted)
5. Power steering fluid - very thin oil - clearish
6. Brake fluid - thin oily unpleasant
7. Condensate from the a/c - water no probs
8. Wash bottle - soapy water
9. Battery acid - acidic
10. Diff/transfer - heavy oil at site of leak
When I find an unknown automotive fluid, I rub it between my fingers and I smell it. From this complicated testing procedure, I can usually determine what it is. And so can most experienced automotive mechanics.
You could park your car on a piece of clean cardboard, and if you see drips, you go straight up above to find the source. Most experienced automorive mechanics would do the same thing.
I'm just curious: WHERE do you find this unknown fluid?
-Engine overhaul mechanic and general automotive mechanic since 1972
That is not enough of a leak to be noticed on checking levels.
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