What the color of smoke coming out of your exhaust could mean

Smoke coming from the exhaust 

Smoke coming out of the exhaust isn’t something we see all the time and brings some concern. If you are noticing smoke coming out of your exhaust, we have listed out some of the common colors you will see. 

White 

Depending on the weather, the white smoke could mean different things. If the weather is cooler and the smoke is wispier, then it could just be condensation turning into vapor as your vehicle heats up. If, however, the weather is warm, then your engine may be consuming coolant which creates the white color. There may be a leak which could cause more problems later if you do not fix this. 

Blue 

Typically caused by the engine burning a large amount of oil which can be caused by a blocked PCV valve. This can cause the engine to start sucking in oil. If this is continuing to happen, the engine may experience internal damage. If you notice the smoke, have your engine looked at right away. 

Black 

Black smoke is an indication of a rich fuel condition in your engine. This means there is too much fuel and not enough air being burned in the engine. The unburned fuel exits through the tailpipe which looks like black smoke. Leaving this can create poor performance and an increase in fuel consumption. 

Read more tips and tricks: What are the different types of differentials? 

Need a fix? 

If your vehicle isn’t running as smoothly as it should be, bring it to Carl Black of Hiram. We can take a look at your vehicle and get it back on the road in almost no time. 

Read more tips: Here are some safety tips you need to know before you drive with children