A Comprehensive User Guide To Power Steering Fluid Color

• If the leak is light brown to black

If there is light brown or black fluid leaking from your vehicle, your power steering fluid may be leaking or it may be from other areas. Sometimes, engine oil may also be light brown or black which depends on how long this fluid is inside your engine. Also, motor oil leaks are found in the center portion of a vehicle.

If the leak is brown and smells like rotten eggs, then the liquid may be lubricating oil. Lube oil leaks are often located in the middle of the car or near the rear axle.

• If the leak is light yellow to brown

Brake fluids are yellow and thus, a yellow leak is from your braking system. If you notice yellow liquid leaking from your vehicle then check your brakes as it is dangerous to drive when your brakes are not functioning well.

Brake liquid and motor oil may look similar but have different consistencies. The oily or slippery liquid is brake fluid as motor oil is more viscous than brake liquid.

• If the leak is red or different shades of red

Red leaks are mostly due to a leak on your power steering system. But how to distinguish this kind of fluid from other liquids with the same color? Power steering liquid leaks drip along the front area of your vehicle while all other fluids are at the center or the back of the car. If the liquid is smeared on the steering pump or below the reservoir, then check the consistency of the fluid. If it is very thin and very slippery, then this is from your power steering.

• If the leak is orange

If the leak is orange, then this is transmission fluid. This kind of fluid is usually light to very dark orange or sometimes reddish-brown. Also, this kind of leak is usually found along the center part of your vehicle. Consider that leaking anti-freeze when combined with rust may also turn orange.

• If the leak is green, pink, or yellow

The pink liquid may also be power steering liquid as some manufacturers dye their products this color, however, some coolants are also pink. But you can tell that this is liquid coolant when the leaks are found along with the water pump system; from the bearings to the gasket. In some cases, power steering fluid color green and yellow leaks are also from the water-cooling system.

• If the leak is clear

When you see clear liquid or clear leaks, then this could be plain water or power steering liquid. Your car air conditioner may also drip water due to the condensation inside the unit. You can tell water and steering fluid apart by touching the liquid. Water is just, water while steering fluid is a sticker or oilier. Water does not smell while steering fluid has a motor oil smell.

How To Check Your Power Steering Fluid YouTube Video: