How to Identify Automotive Liquids by Color

What is leaking from my car?

If you are staring at a puddle of unidentifiable liquid in your driveway, you are not alone. Every year, an unknown number of scared drivers, Mercedes-Benz or not, are faced with a leak of some kind. Actually, it is quite common because vehicles rely on up to ten different liquids at a time to operate at OEM standards. This might be more than you were expecting but never fear because Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale is here to help you figure out what is leaking from your car.

Learn what all the numbers mean on your tires
Here are some of the most common colors you may find dripping out of your car. These are the most common, but keep in mind some fluids come in a variety of colors, such as windshield wiper fluid and brake fluid. It is also important to note that fluid color changes over the life of the fluid, so if it looks a little different than you remember, it doesn’t mean it is something else.

How many different fluids are in my car?

2016	VS	2015
375	HP	355
4.2 Seconds	0-60 MPH	4.4 Seconds
31 Highway	MPG	31 Highway

Black/Brown

Oil
Gear differential fluid

If your car is leaking oil and is less than 20 years old, there is a problem that an oil change won’t fix. Bring it in ASAP!

Yellow/Green

Brake Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Coolant
Gas

Red

Brake Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid

Power Steering Fluid

These are all crucial fluids if you want your car to work. Come to Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale for brake service!

Clear

Brake Fluid
Water
Battery Acid
Air conditioner refrigerant

Blue/Purple

Windshield Wiper Fluid

It is rare that a car will leak wiper fluid, but if it does, you should be able follow the tubing from the wiper fluid reservoir under the hood to find the culprit.

What is the difference between power steering fluid and brake fluid?

They are different! It is easy to confuse power steering fluid with brake fluid because they are often very close in color. Brake fluid is alcohol based and power steering is petroleum based. Mixing them up can cause brake or power steering failure.

Again, fluids can be produced in different colors so if you see something in your driveway that we didn’t cover, let us know! We will add it to our list of delicious fluids. Also, don’t drink anything that comes out of your car. Your car wants that. Not you.