Aug 2019 20

Color Guide To Leaky Car Fluid | Schenectady, NY

Pulling out of your driveway in the morning and noticing a large spot where your vehicle was sitting can be very unsettling. Within seconds your morning goes from good to awful thanks to all of the possible scenarios you are creating in your head. That’s why this week we want to help calm your nerves and help you figure out what the issue might be. Many of you might not know that different fluids have different colors and many times you can distinguish what the issue is just the color and texture of the fluid leaking from your vehicle. So this week we have your color guide to all you need to know about your vehicle fluids. So sit back, relax, and solve the mystery of the puddle under your vehicle.

LIght brown to black:

If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a brownish/black color, chances are its motor oil. This can leak from various spots of your vehicle, but if it is leaking from the center and the odor smells like rotten eggs, the culprit could be a lube oil leak.
This won’t stop your vehicle dead, but it means that there is an ongoing issue and you should bring your vehicle in for a professional examination

Light yellow to dark brown:

Brake fluid stars out as a clear/yellow color and as it ages it becomes dark brown, similar to motor oil. An easy way to distinguish is simple, just feel the fluid. If the fluid feel slippery, it’s likely brake fluid. If this is the case, your vehicle not safe to drive and you’re going to want to bring it in for repair as soon as possible.

Red(ish):

If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a red or reddish color, it’s generally power steering fluid. Power steering fluid will leak from under the front part of your car and is thin in texture. If this is the case, there is an issue with the power steering pump.

Orange:

If the leak is from the center of your vehicle and the fluid is an orange/reddish-brown color, it could be transmission fluid. However, rust from your radiator mixing with an antifreeze leak can appear orange-ish as well. However, antifreeze will be thin and can leak from anywhere, which could help you determine the difference.

Yellow, Green, or Pink:

These leaks will be the easiest to spot, and typically the simplest to diagnose. More times than not, the cause of such bright puddles is a simple coolant leak. In these cases, your vehicle’s age comes into play. Older vehicles tend to blow off a bit of coolant when the engine gets too hot, so a few little spots are nothing to worry about.
If your vehicle is newer, this coolant shouldn’t be dripping any excess liquids so it might be a good idea to bring it in for a look.

Clear:

If the fluid leaking from your vehicle looks like water, it probably is water. The air conditioning can build up excess condensation and result in puddles of water underneath your vehicle. This occurs in properly running cars, only be worried if it becomes constant and a lot.