Coolant is usually easy to identify, as it typically comes in any number of bright colors. Car and Driver says manufacturers use bright colored dyes to make it easy to identify coolant and differentiate it from other automotive fluids. Coolant has a watery consistency and may also have a sweet smell, according to Cars.com.

Car and Driver notes that obvious signs of a coolant leaks include lime-green, orange, pink or bluish-green puddles under your car. You may also notice a sweet smell after you've driven the car, or that the car is running hot or overheating while in use.

The issue could be an easy fix, such as a loose clamp, but it could be also mean something more complicated, like a broken water pump or leak within the heater. It's important to have coolant leaks fixed soon, says Car and Driver, as these problems tend to get worse quickly.