Quick Summary:
- Do not drive off, move away from fumes, and alert staff immediately.
- Photograph the puddle, odour source area, dashboard warnings, and fuel cap.
- Note time, bay number, mileage, and the staff member spoken to.
- Request a like-for-like swap in writing before accepting any keys.
Picking up a car hire in Orlando should feel routine, but a strong petrol smell or fresh fluid under the car is a clear sign to pause. These symptoms can indicate anything from minor spillage during refuelling to a fuel leak, coolant loss, or a transmission or brake fluid issue. Some leaks are serious enough to create a fire risk or cause sudden loss of braking or power steering, so your safest move is to treat it as a potential hazard until proven otherwise.
This guide gives you a step-by-step check you can do at the pick-up area, the exact photos that help resolve the issue quickly, and wording you can copy to request a swap in writing. The focus is not mechanics, it is practical safety and good documentation, so your Orlando car hire starts with a sound vehicle and a clean paper trail.
If you are collecting at the main airport, it can help to keep the pick-up details handy, for example your reservation information for car rental Orlando MCO or the broader guide for car rental airport Disney Orlando MCO. You are not trying to argue on the spot, you are trying to keep everyone safe and get a usable car quickly.
First, make it safe before you inspect anything
At a busy Orlando facility, you may be in a multi-storey garage with moving vehicles. Your first job is to reduce risk to yourself, passengers, and staff.
1) Stop and step back. If you smell petrol, do not lean into the wheel arch or under the car. Move a few steps away, especially if the odour is strong or makes your eyes water.
2) Do not start the engine. If the engine is off, keep it off. If it is running, turn it off. A fuel vapour build-up is rare, but starting and idling adds heat and ignition sources.
3) No smoking or sparking. This includes lighters, vaping devices, and even banging metal luggage around the car near the suspected leak. Ask others in your party to stay clear.
4) Alert the nearest attendant immediately. Use clear words, for example, “I can smell petrol,” or “There is fresh fluid underneath.” If you are inside a garage, ask them to secure the area if needed.
Step-by-step safety check you can do at pick-up
You are not expected to diagnose the problem, but you can gather quick, useful facts. Keep the inspection short, and avoid touching fluids with bare hands.
Step 1: Check the ground and identify the general area. Look at where the puddle sits relative to the car. Front centre can suggest coolant, air conditioning condensate, or oil. Rear quarter can suggest fuel tank area on some models. If it is directly under a wheel area, brake fluid is a concern.
Step 2: Look for active dripping. A steady drip is more urgent than a small wet patch that looks old. If you see an active drip, stop inspecting and wait for staff.
Step 3: Look at the dashboard for warning lights. Without starting the engine, you can usually turn the ignition to accessory mode. Photograph any warnings, especially “Check Engine,” low oil pressure, battery, or temperature warnings. If you are not comfortable, skip this and let staff do it.
Step 4: Check the fuel filler area and cap. Petrol smell can come from a loose cap, overflow, or spillage. Look for wetness around the filler door. Do not force the cap, just photograph what you see.
Step 5: Smell cautiously from a distance. Petrol has a sharp, unmistakable odour. Coolant can smell sweet. Oil smells heavier and can be burnt. If the smell is strong enough that you can detect it from several feet away, treat it as serious.
Step 6: Check for fluid on tyres or near brakes. If a fluid is on the inside of a wheel or on the tyre, that is a safety issue. Do not drive. Tell staff you are concerned about brakes or steering safety.
Step 7: Verify the vehicle details. Photograph the registration plate (where permitted), the vehicle model, and the bay number. This matters if you later need to show you never accepted that particular car.
Step 8: Do not “just drive out to see”. If you are told it is “probably air conditioning water,” it may be, but you do not need to prove it by taking the car onto the road. A swap at the facility is simpler than returning later with a problem.
What photos to take, in order, so staff can act fast
Photos are your best tool for a calm, quick resolution. Aim for clear, well-lit images that show context and detail. Take them before any staff move the vehicle, if safe.
1) Wide shot showing the car and puddle together. Stand back so the image includes the whole side of the car and the fluid location on the ground.
2) Close-up of the fluid on the ground. Capture texture and colour. If it is petrol, it may show a rainbow sheen. If it is red or pink, it may indicate transmission fluid or some coolants. If it is clear and watery, it may be condensation, but still document it.
3) Photo showing where under the car it appears to originate. Do not crawl underneath. Shoot from knee height at the edge, keeping distance.
4) Fuel filler door and cap area. Take one photo with the door closed, one open if you can safely open it, and any wetness visible.
5) Dashboard warning lights or messages. If you can access accessory mode, photograph the instrument cluster. If you started nothing, note that in your message instead.
6) Odometer and fuel gauge. This helps show you have not driven off and protects you from later disputes.
7) The bay number, row marker, or pick-up location sign. The facility can locate the vehicle quickly, and it anchors your timeline.
8) Any pre-existing damage near the suspected leak area. For example, a cracked bumper or undertray hanging loose. It can be linked to the leak, and it strengthens your request for a different car.
Keep your phone’s location and time metadata on if possible. If you are travelling as a family and collecting a larger vehicle, the same approach applies, whether it is a standard saloon or a people carrier from minivan hire Orlando MCO listings. The goal is consistent evidence, not perfect mechanical certainty.
How to request a swap at Orlando pick-up, and what to say
Be polite, specific, and firm about safety. Your leverage is simple: you have not accepted the vehicle and you do not feel it is roadworthy based on observable signs.
In person, say: “I’m smelling petrol and I can see fresh fluid under the car. I’m not comfortable taking this vehicle. Please assign me a different car, like for like, and note this on my agreement.”
If the desk is busy, ask the attendant to confirm the swap is recorded before you leave the counter. If you are offered an “inspection later,” repeat that you need a different vehicle now because you are at pick-up and have not driven off.
If your booking is for a particular class, keep the request grounded: like for like, or an upgrade at no extra cost if the same class is not available. This is especially relevant if you booked a specific style, such as an SUV from SUV rental Orlando MCO options, and you need the luggage space and seating you planned for.
Exact wording to request a swap in writing (copy and paste)
Use whichever channel you have available at the counter, such as email, the rental company message system, or even a note request on the agreement. If you can only use SMS, keep it short and factual.
Subject: Vehicle swap requested at Orlando pick-up due to petrol smell and fresh fluid
Message: “Hello, I am at Orlando pick-up now. The vehicle allocated to me has a strong petrol smell and there is fresh fluid visible on the ground underneath the car. I have not driven the vehicle. For safety reasons I am requesting an immediate swap to a different vehicle in the same category at no additional cost. Please confirm in writing that the original vehicle is rejected at pick-up due to suspected leak/odour, and that the replacement vehicle details will be updated on my rental agreement. Time: [HH:MM], Bay/Location: [number/row], Booking reference: [ref], Allocated vehicle: [make/model/plate if available], Mileage shown: [miles]. Thank you.”
After you send it, take a screenshot of the sent message and any reply. If staff confirm verbally, ask them to add a note to the contract and show you the updated vehicle details before you take the new keys.
What to do if staff say it is “normal” or “just water”
Sometimes it is just air conditioning condensate, which is clear water that forms a small puddle, especially in Florida humidity. Sometimes a mild petrol smell is residual from a recent refuel. The point is that you do not have to accept uncertainty at pick-up.
Use a calm script: “I understand it might be normal, but I can see fresh fluid and I can smell petrol. I’m not comfortable leaving with this car. Please swap it.”
If you feel pressured, repeat that you will only accept a different vehicle or written confirmation that the issue has been inspected and the car is safe. If they offer to inspect, wait nearby and ask for the result to be noted on the agreement. If the smell remains or the drip continues, insist on the swap.
After the swap, do a quick confirmation check
Before you drive away in the replacement vehicle, do a fast repeat of the essentials.
1) Walkaround and ground check. Look under the engine bay area and near the rear for any fresh fluid.
2) Fuel cap area. Ensure the filler door is closed properly and there is no wetness.
3) Dashboard. Confirm no warning messages remain after starting.
4) Photos. Take a fresh set of pick-up photos of the replacement car condition and fuel level. This is useful for any car hire, regardless of brand, including options like Dollar car hire Orlando MCO where pick-up is often in busy airport locations.
5) Paperwork. Check that the agreement matches the replacement vehicle’s details and that any notes about the rejected car are included.
Common fluids and why you should treat them seriously
You do not need to identify the fluid perfectly, but knowing the stakes helps you stay confident when requesting a swap.
Petrol: Fire risk and health hazard, especially in enclosed garages. A strong smell is enough reason to stop.
Brake fluid: Can lead to reduced braking. It may appear clear to amber and feel slippery. Do not drive.
Coolant: Overheating risk. It can be green, orange, or pink, and may leave a sweet smell.
Engine oil: Can cause engine damage if levels drop. It is usually brown to black.
Transmission or power steering fluid: Often red or pink, and leaks can affect drivability and steering assistance.
Air conditioning condensate: Clear water, typically harmless, but document it and confirm there is no petrol smell alongside it.
FAQ
Is it safe to drive if I only smell petrol but see no puddle? No, not until the cause is confirmed. Petrol odour can come from a loose cap, spillage, or a leak. Request an inspection or a swap before leaving the Orlando pick-up area.
What if the staff member says I must take the car and report later? State that you are rejecting the allocated vehicle at pick-up due to safety concerns, and request a like-for-like replacement. Get that decision confirmed in writing and on the rental agreement.
Which photos matter most for proving the issue? A wide shot showing the car and fluid together, a close-up of the fluid, the fuel cap area, the dashboard warnings, and the bay or location marker are the most helpful.
Could the fluid just be air conditioning water in Orlando? Yes, clear water puddles can be normal in humid conditions. However, water should not come with a strong petrol smell. If you have both signs, request a different vehicle.
How do I avoid being charged for the original car’s leak? Do not drive it. Take time-stamped photos, record mileage, and get written confirmation that you rejected the vehicle at pick-up and swapped due to suspected leak or petrol odour.
