Coolant Color and Consistency Testing

One of the most common signs indicating your coolant needs to be replaced is poor color or consistency. Coolant should be brightly colored and clear. Most coolant comes in bright orange, red, green, yellow, pink or blue.

The coolant in your truck, van, SUV or car should not be grimy or muddy. Before checking your engine’s coolant, make sure your vehicle has been turned off for a while. When your auto engine is running, the antifreeze becomes hot and can burn you if it hasn’t had time to completely cool.

When your engine, radiator and coolant are completely cool, like before you drive it for the day, you can lift up the cap of the coolant reservoir tank or remove the radiator cap to peek inside. If the back of the radiator pressure cap has brown sludge on it or brown crud, it is possible your antifreeze is bad and could be damaging your engine cooling system.

If you see floating chunks of rust or other sludge in the radiator or the coolant reservoir, or reserve tank, it might be time to replace your coolant. If you are unsure of the color consistency, coolant can be tested with a coolant hydrometer.

Instead of buying a coolant hydrometer to test the coolant color and consistency of your vehicle, call 12th Street Auto Care Center. Schedule an auto inspection with one of our ASE-certified mechanics and have your coolant checked right here on site. Our local Sioux Falls, SD auto repair shop is the perfect place for your engine coolant color and consistency test, as well as any other auto inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement needs.