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Are Automobile Fluids Identified By Their Color?

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Automobile fluids can be identified by their color. In fact, this is one reason why automotive fluids are different colors. Unfortunately, a few fluids have the same color, so it might be more difficult to identify the fluid without a vehicle inspection. Boulevard Auto Repair lists the automotive fluids in your foreign or domestic automobile below by their color to help you identify them.

Blue

There are two automobile fluids that come in the color blue. The rare one is engine coolant. The common one is windshield washing fluid. If your coolant is not blue, the blue fluid leaking out of your automobile is the washing fluid for your windshield.

Brown

Many automotive fluids turn brown as they age. Brake fluid, gear or motor oil, and transmission fluid all turn dark brown when they are old. When they are new, brake fluid, differential oil, and motor oil are light brown. In fact, the new brake fluid is so light that it almost looks clear.

Green

Green fluid is antifreeze/coolant. Sometimes, the fluid color is more of a blue-green or green with hints of blue in it. If your vehicle is leaking coolant, do not drive it. Even if the leak is minor, the engine might not have enough coolant in it to prevent it from overheating.

Orange

Orange fluid could be old transmission fluid but it is more likely coolant with rust in it. If you drive a classic automobile, your radiator likely has some corrosion on the bottom. Once this corrosion eats through the bottom of the radiator, your vehicle will leak orange fluid.

Pink

Pink fluid that is also frothy is a combination of coolant and transmission oil. This is a sign that your engine has a serious problem that is causing these two fluids to mix. Unfortunately, the diluted transmission oil will also ruin your transmission if you keep driving your automobile.

Red

Power steering fluid is red and transmission fluid is red. Other fluids that can also be red are brake fluid and engine coolant. You can check your various reservoirs in the engine to identify all of the red fluids in your automobile.

Yellow

Finally, as we said above, the new brake fluid can be so light that it looks almost clear. It can also look yellowish. The only other yellow fluid you might have in your automobile is antifreeze/coolant. You may also see clear fluid dripping from your automobile and this is water unless it smells like gasoline.

Don’t panic if your vehicle is leaking fluid. Boulevard Auto Repair in Sherman Oaks, CA, will find the fluid leak and fix it.

Image by oculo from bigstockphoto.com

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