You can refer to this blog post any time you need to determine the color of an automotive fluid. Dad’s Automotive can replace your auto fluids when they need it. The best way to determine when the fluids need to be changed is to look at the factory-scheduled service chart in your owner’s manual. Let’s talk about the different automotive fluids below and the colors in which they come.
Blue
There are two automotive fluids that come in blue tones. The first and most common one is your windshield washing solution. It will always be blue. The second one is not so common and that is your engine’s antifreeze/coolant. The color of the latter fluid may also be blue-green.
Brown
Three primary automotive fluids come in brown: brake fluid, differential oil, and motor oil. All of these fluids will be light brown in color when they are new. They will darken to dark brown as they age and get dirty. Another fluid that can turn dark brown when it gets old is transmission fluid.
Clear
Gasoline or diesel fuel can look clear if it is leaking onto your garage floor. As such, it’s important that you smell clear automotive fluid to make sure it is just water and not fuel. Water will drip from your vehicle’s air conditioner if it has been running. It can also drip out of the tailpipe.
Green
You are going to discover if you keep reading that antifreeze/coolant comes in several different colors. Another such color is green. This green could be green-blue or neon green. It may also be green-yellow. It’s not a good idea to drive your car, truck, or utility vehicle if it is leaking green fluid.
Orange
The antifreeze/coolant in your engine can also be orange. It may be orange when it is new, or it may turn orange if the inside of the radiator is rusted. Unfortunately, this corrosion can eat a hole in the bottom of the radiator and cause the coolant to leak out of it.
Red
There are many automotive fluids that are red. Your transmission fluid should always be red. This means it does not need to be changed. The power steering fluid in your hydraulic system is red and brake fluid can be red. Finally, you may have red antifreeze/coolant in the cooling system.
Yellow
The last color that antifreeze/coolant comes in is yellow. As with green, the yellow hue may be a neon one. It may also be yellow-green.
Dad’s Automotive in New Era, MI, is here to help, so call us today to set up a service visit for a fluid check.
