Did you know that automotive fluids are different colors to help you identify them? That’s right! Not all of the fluids in your automobile are the same color. Auto Service Kingston is going to list the different fluids by their color below. You can determine what is leaking out of your automobile by taking a white cloth or paper towel and dabbing the fluid that has dripped onto your garage floor.
Blue
If the fluid is blue, it is most likely your windshield washing solution. Be cautious, however, and pop the hood to make sure your antifreeze/coolant is not blue. Although rare, this automotive fluid can come in the color blue and you don’t want to drive your automobile if it’s leaking antifreeze/coolant.
Brown
We know we said that the fluids are different colors, but you may have a couple of different fluids in your automobile that are brown. First of all, you know that your motor oil is brown. Brake fluid and differential oil are also brown. Finally, old transmission fluid turns brown.
Clear
Usually, clear fluid is just water dripping off your vehicle’s air conditioning unit or out of the tailpipe. Clear fluid can also be diesel fuel or gasoline, however, so make sure to smell the clear fluid to make sure it doesn’t smell like fuel.
Green
Your vehicle’s antifreeze/coolant can also be green, blue-green, or neon green. You can check the color of the antifreeze/coolant by looking at the overflow reservoir. This is usually clear and reveals the fluid color for you without having to unscrew the radiator.
Red
If you see red fluid on your garage floor, your vehicle is leaking either power steering fluid or transmission fluid. It could also be leaking brake fluid, as some brake fluid is the color red. You probably guess this, but your antifreeze/coolant can also be red.
What isn’t normal is pink or orange fluid. These reddish colors can indicate a serious problem with your vehicle’s transmission or cooling system, respectively. Pink fluid is a mixture of coolant and transmission fluid. Orange fluid is an indication that your radiator has rusted through.
Yellow
Finally, yellow is also a common color of antifreeze/coolant. The color may be yellowish-green or neon yellow. Again, don’t drive your automobile if it is leaking antifreeze/coolant. Continuing to drive it can cause the engine to overheat and damage it unnecessarily.
Auto Service Kingston in Kingston, ON, can find your automotive fluid leak and fix it. Call us today to set up an appointment for your car, truck, or utility vehicle.