Car Fluid Colors and Meanings

Clear Liquid

If the color you are seeing is clear, the chances are, you are good to go! Typically, clear liquid is indicative of water, and this usually is created by condensation from your air conditioning system. If you have not been running your AC, this could point to a leak in your brake system. Sometimes brake fluid can be a clear color, though it often has a slightly yellowish tint.

Yellow Liquid

Yellow liquid suggests your brake system is responsible. This fluid starts out as a light yellow (sometimes appearing clear) and progressively gets darker as time goes on. It can end up a dark brown color if not well maintained. This liquid will feel oily to the touch and may smell a bit foul, like fish. Your vehicle is not safe to drive and should be taken to the shop right away.

Related: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Brakes Maintained

Blue Liquid

A blue colored fluid leaking from your car points to your windshield washer fluid. If you recently filled it, you may have put too much it, or poured some on the ground without noticing. Check the reservoir for any cracks. If this leaking is persistent, bring it into our shop for an inspection.

Brown Liquid

You must first identify if the shade is darker or light as this can help you locate which area of the car to inspect. If the color is a dark brown, it is likely to be motor oil. As it ages it becomes even darker, sometimes being a very thick, almost black substance. However, as discussed above, old brake fluid can be dark brown as well. A light brown color would point to newer motor oil. Motor oil doesn’t have much of a smell unless it is burning, while gear lubricant often smells bad. Though not as common, brown fluid can also point to an issue with your transmission. Take a look at our article to help you understand Why Your Transmission Fluid is Leaking.

Pink Liquid

This color should be addressed right away, as it could point to more serious issues with your vehicle. Pink fluid can be found if there is a leak with the power steering or transmission. Usually, these leaks are caused by worn seals or holes in a line and should be fixed before they become more severe – and costly! If you think you’re seeing transmission oil but you’re not sure what you’re looking at, see our guide How Do I Know When My Transmission Fluid Needs to be Changed?

Address it Right Away – The Right Way, At AAMCO Colorado

Unless you are absolutely certain that what you’re seeing is condensation, a leak is rarely worth the gamble. You should have your vehicle inspected to be sure that every system is working as it should. We can help you identify any issues you may want to address with your car before it had a chance to get worse.

If you think your vehicle has a fluid leak that is more difficult than you anticipated, Schedule an Appointment now to have your transmission repair experts fix the problem today. Call any of our AAMCO Denver or AAMCO Colorado Springs locations for a FREE diagnostic test.

Navigate our Blog