And what is it? Always assumed it was just water but now I’m pretty sure it’s not. Also do all cars do this?
This is normal, and all cars actually do it.
In 99% of cases, water from your car exhaust system is absolutely normal and is nothing to worry about. It is just condensation being vented while the engine is running. You’re most likely to notice this when the outside temperature is cold and when the engine has not been running all that long.
I don’t think EVs do it
Edit: downvotes from people who completely lack a sense of humor
It is just water. When the engine starts the cold exhaust heats up creating condensation which drips off as the exhaust fumes are expelled.
It “can” be oil, but you’d need to be pretty unlucky, and need a new engine.
It’s most likely water. The two main chemical products of fuel combustion are carbon dioxide and water vapor. The vapor condenses and drips out of the exhaust.
You’re right, it is water. One of the products of Burning of hydro carbons is water - when the exhaust is cold it condenses and collects / drips from the exhaust. When the system has been running for a while it’ll get hot enough that the gases don’t hit their due point and any existing condensed water should evaporate and be carried away with the flow of exhaust gasess. On really cold days you can usually always see the exhaust gases when the car is stationary.
It obviously catches some of the particulates / exhaust fumes and is a little nasty and that’s why maybe you thought it was something else.
As people have said, cars drip water like air conditioners drip water.
If your car is dripping something other than water you should get it looked at by a mechanic. Or at least someone who knows more about cars than you or I do.
But in most cases those other drips (oil, power steering fluid, coolant, brake fluid, window washer fluid, gasoline, Coke from a burst bottle you forgot in the hot sun) would be coming from another part of the car, not out the exhaust pipe.
