Automotive fluids tend to be different colors naturally but also to help you identify them if you have a fluid leak. We here at West Omaha Auto Service hope you never have spots on your garage floor. If you do, determine the color of the fluid. Here is an automotive fluid guide listed by color.
Blue
By the time you are done reading this blog, you will come to learn that antifreeze/coolant comes in many different colors. Blue is one of those colors. More commonly, however, is windshield washing solution. This is always blue and can leak out of a worn reservoir or hoses.
Brown
The primary automotive fluids that are brown are brake fluid, differential oil, and motor oil. These fluids are light brown, almost amber when they are new and clean. These fluids turn dark brown as they get old and dirty. Old transmission fluid can also be brown.
Clear
Clear fluid is most likely water. Water drips off your vehicle’s air conditioning system when it is running. It also drips out of the tailpipe. Diesel fuel and gasoline are also clear, so smell the fluid to make sure it doesn’t have an odor before you drive your automobile.
Green
Antifreeze/coolant can also be green, green-blue, or blue-green. Like we said above, this fluid comes in many different colors. You can check to see what color your antifreeze/coolant is when your engine is cold. Just pop the hood and look at the overflow reservoir.
Orange
If your car is leaking orange fluid, this could be coolant that is leaking out of a rusted radiator. The fluid isn’t originally orange. Rather, it has turned orange because of the corrosion and rust that is in it. Replacing the radiator is the only way to fix this problem.
Red
Power steering fluid is red, as is transmission fluid. As we mentioned previously, transmission fluid turns brown as it ages. Some brands and types of brake fluid are red, and your vehicle may also have red engine coolant in it. Red is a popular automotive fluid color.
Yellow
Finally, some people say that the new brake fluid looks yellow to them. It can be almost clear, in fact. Antifreeze/coolant also comes in a yellow color. It might also be yellow-green.
That’s a lot of colors! If your vehicle is leaking automotive fluid, don’t worry. West Omaha Auto Service is the best auto shop in Omaha, NE, and we’d be happy to find out which fluid is leaking and fix the problem.