If you know the different colors of automotive fluids, you will know what is leaking out of your car, truck, or utility vehicle, and whether it is safe to continue driving the vehicle. For example, if your car is leaking brake fluid, is not safe to drive it because you may have difficulties slowing down and stopping the automobile. Let’s talk about the different colors of automotive fluids below.
Blue
If you have blue spots on the garage floor, your automobile is leaking the washing solution for the windshield. You can continue to drive your vehicle with this type of fluid leak. You won’t be able to wash your windshield, however, if it gets dirty. In rare cases, your anti-freeze/coolant may also be blue. Do not drive your vehicle if it is leaking anti-freeze/coolant.
Brown
We mentioned above that you shouldn’t drive your car if it’s leaking brake fluid. Brake fluid is light brown to dark brown. The other fluids in your vehicle that are brown are the motor oil and the differential oil. Leaking brown fluids are bad for your vehicle.
Clear
Clear fluid is usually not a problem. Usually, clear fluid is just water dripping off of your air conditioning system. You may also see water dripping out of the tailpipe. The only time you should be concerned about clear fluid is if it smells like gasoline or diesel fuel.
Green
You will discover as you keep reading that anti-freeze/coolant comes in many different colors. Another color is green. Usually, the green is neon green or green-yellow. If you drive your vehicle when it is leaking anti-freeze/coolant, there is a good chance that the engine will overheat.
Orange
Another color in which anti-freeze/coolant comes is orange. The radiator overflow reservoir is clear, so you can check the color of your anti-freeze/coolant by looking at the color of the fluid in the reservoir. Your anti-freeze/coolant may be orange or turn orange due to rust.
Red
By now, you are probably thinking that you don’t want to be told that anti-freeze/coolant can also be red. Well, it can. Other fluids found in your automobile that are red include the transmission fluid and the power steering fluid.
Yellow
One final color in which your anti-freeze/coolant may come is yellow or yellow-green. In some cases, if your brake fluid is new, it may also be a yellow or amber color.
We are here to help, so give us a call right away if you have an auto fluid leak.