It’s important to know the colors of all of the fluids in your import. This knowledge is helpful if you end up with an automotive fluid leak. The best way to determine the color of the leak is to dab the fluid off your garage floor using a white paper towel or cloth. This prevents any background color from changing the color of the fluid. Uptown Imports is going to list the common colors of automotive fluids below. In some cases, it may not be safe to drive your automobile depending on which fluid is leaking.
Blue
If the fluid that is dripping onto your garage floor is blue, it is most likely your import’s windshield washing solution. If it is blue with a green tint to it, it could be antifreeze/coolant. You can drive your import if the former is leaking. Don’t drive your import if the latter is leaking.
Brown
Don’t drive your import if it is leaking brown fluid, either. Several key fluids in your automobile are brown. These fluids include the brake fluid and the differential oil. They also include the motor oil and dirty transmission fluid.
Clear
Clear fluid is usually just water. Water in the form of condensation can drip from your import’s air conditioner. It can also drip out of your tailpipe. If the clear fluid smells like fuel, however, it is, so don’t drive your import if it is leaking diesel fuel or gasoline.
Green
Antifreeze/coolant is oftentimes green. It may be neon green or blue-green, as well. You don’t need us to tell you that if your import is leaking antifreeze/coolant, this can create serious problems if you drive it in the winter or summer. It’s better to get the leak fixed right away.
Orange
If the fluid on your garage floor is orange, it is antifreeze/coolant with rust in it. Definitely do not drive your import if it is leaking orange fluid. What has happened is you have a hole in the bottom of your radiator. Corrosion has eaten its way through the radiator metal.
Red
It’s also important to have any red fluid leaks fixed right away. To fluids in your import that are always red are power steering fluid and transmission oil. Your brake fluid may also be red. Some brands of engine coolant are red.
Yellow
Finally, yellow fluid or yellow-green fluid is antifreeze/coolant. In some cases, brake fluid that is new can also be so light brown that looks yellowish.
Call Uptown Imports in Minneapolis, MN, today if your import is leaking automotive fluid.