Which fluid is indicated by the color red under common fluid color guidelines?

The color red is typically associated with transmission fluid in vehicle maintenance and safety guidelines. This distinctive color helps identify the fluid during inspections, making it easier to detect leaks. Transmission fluid serves the critical function of lubricating the components of the transmission, enabling them to engage and disengage smoothly, and it’s essential for ensuring proper transmission operation.

Identifying a leak of red fluid can alert a driver to potential issues with the transmission system that may require immediate attention. This proactive measure can help prevent further damage and costly repairs down the line.

While other fluids have their own color codes—such as coolant, which is often green or orange, motor oil, generally brown or amber, and power steering fluid, which can range from clear to yellow or brown—the association of red specifically with transmission fluid is widely recognized in automotive care. Understanding these color codes is part of maintaining a vehicle and ensuring safety on the road.