When moving my XF today there was a small puddle (about 6") of red liquid under the engine area of the car. This just happened in the last 24 hours because we put it inside to avoid a storm and there was no leak from where it was sitting
This is not a daily driver, truly just a "fun car".

What do the experts think? Transmission Fluid? Power Steering Fluid? It did not smell like oil (really didn't have much of a smell). Anti-freeze was not this color.

The bigger question is do you think because of the small amount of liquid it would be safe to drive it to a mechanic shop (about 30 mins away) or should I have it towed?

 

Most likely transmission fluid leaking from the connector which is very common.

 

So a connector has come loose? I did look underneath (without jacking the car up and felt around and could not find anything wet around the transmission area. Do you think if I jacked it up I would see the connector and can put it back on or are you saying it is a part that is most likely cracked?

 

Go to YouTube and enter Crossfire transmission connector in the search.

 

 

Got the car back from the shop same day with the transmission connector replaced (thanks for the correct assessment). On the way home (about 30 mins) check engine came on. The shop said they checked the transmission fluid levels. I don't have a tool to read the codes. Do you think this was a coincidence and a new problem or could something the shop did have caused it? It was not on when I left the shop and only came on after we stopped to eat somewhere and came on after we left the restaurant. Car is running fine.

 

Most auto parts stores can check for generic codes with there scan tool and they do it for free. I would start with that and see what codes they come up with. They can scan the car as a Chrysler Crossfire if there tool will work with that, or as most of us do scan the car as a Mercedes 2003 SLK 320. Without a scan and the DTC code ( get the exact code number !!!!, some explanation like you will need a ERG valve is worthless) you really have no idea what is causing the check engine light.

I also will add that what you are experiencing is so very common after picking up a car from a shop that I long ago STOPPED going to auto repair shops and do 99% of repair work myself. I have been burned in my early years by dishonest shops who fix one thing, but deliberately foul-up something else to get return business. Of course the fouled-up is an easy and quick repair (they know exactly where to go) but they will tell you something else and charge much more for the repair. Hope I am wrong, but as I said I have seen this too many times. Good, honest repair shops are hard to find. If you do have a good one, stick with them and pay what they ask, because in the long run you come out ahead. Good Luck.