Do you know the colors of your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s fluids? It’s important to know these colors in case your automobile starts to leak. Depending on the fluid that is leaking out of the vehicle, it may or may not be okay to continue to drive it. Demore’s Automotive cautions that driving your automobile when it is leaking certain fluids can put you and the vehicle in danger as well as cause unnecessary damage. Let’s talk about your automobile’s fluids and their common colors below.
Blue
Blue fluid is primarily windshield wash. This is the solution that sprays on your windshield when you wash it while you’re driving. It’s okay to drive your automobile if it is leaking windshield washer; it’s not okay to drive it if it is leaking coolant, which can also be blue.
Brown
As you already know, the motor oil in your engine is brown. The differential oil is brown, as well. Another common brown fluid is your brake fluid. It isn’t safe to drive your automobile if you are leaking any of these fluids as you run the risk of damaging the engine are being unable to stop the vehicle.
Clear
If your vehicle is leaking clear fluid that smells like fuel, the automobile is either leaking gasoline or diesel fuel, whichever is found in the engine. Do not drive your automobile if it is leaking fuel. If the clear fluid has no odor, it’s water, which doesn’t pose a problem.
Green
Green automotive fluid is antifreeze/coolant. As discussed above in the blue section, it isn’t safe to drive your automobile if it is leaking antifreeze/coolant. Driving the vehicle will cause it to overheat and this can damage the engine.
Red
Your engine’s coolant might also be red. Another fluid that comes in a red hue is brake fluid. Check both reservoirs to confirm the color of each fluid in your engine. To fluids that are definitely red are power steering fluid and transmission fluid. If the fluid leaking out of your automobile looks orange, it could be coolant with rust in it or old transmission fluid. If the fluid is pink and frothy, it is transmission fluid that is being diluted by engine coolant.
Yellow
Finally, another color that antifreeze/coolant comes in is yellow. This is why it’s important to check your overflow reservoir to confirm your coolant’s color. If you see yellow fluid leaking around your wheels, it’s likely brake fluid that is brand new.
Call Demore’s Automotive in Palmer, MA, if your automobile is leaking fluid. We will find the source of the leak and repair the problem.
