November 10, 2021
Do You See Smoke Coming from Your Car’s Tailpipe?
Color plays a key role in driving. We associate green with “go,” yellow with “slow down,” and red with “stop.”
However, not many drivers understand the colors of their car’s exhaust, or why they tend to change shades. Sometimes, it may not mean anything serious, but in other times, it can indicate a problem that needs to be professionally examined.
If you see smoke from your vehicle’s tailpipe, take note of its color so you’ll know if there’s something wrong. Of course, before that, you first need to learn what each of the colors signifies. Here’s an explanation of each of the four exhaust colors:
- Light or thin white
In most cases, white exhaust smoke means water vapor. You don’t have to worry about this smoke, especially during cold days when it’s not uncommon.
- Milky white or gray
If you notice a stream of thick white or gray exhaust smoke coming from your tailpipe, a leaking head gasket is most likely to blame.
Since a coolant leak, particularly in hot weather, can easily cause an engine to overheat, you’ll need to have your car checked as soon as you can.
A cracked block or cylinder head is another `possibility, explaining why your tailpipe is emitting milky white or gray smoke. Seeking professional assistance should be your next step. Waiting too long can hurt your car and pocket.
- Blue or gray
Blue or gray smoke is usually the result of an engine that’s burning a significant amount of oil. The oil leaks due to damaged piston rings, or worn cylinder walls, or leaking valve seals.
Replacing any of these components requires disassembling the entire engine, which can be expensive.
- Black
A car that’s burning too much fuel can cause its tailpipe to release black exhaust smoke. Excess fuel normally comes from a blocked manifold, a clogged air filter, or a defective fuel injection system.
Although a clogged air filter won’t hurt your gas mileage, it could cost you a lot due to poor performance. Also, there might be other reasons why your vehicle’s burning more fuel than usual, which is why you should have it inspected by a technician.
Donate a Clunker to Uplift the Lives of Needy Vets
One of the fastest and simplest ways to dispose of an unwanted vehicle is by handing it to us at Veteran Car Donations. It’s also one of the sure-fire ways to make a difference in the lives of our former military members who are living miserable lives. We’re talking about veterans who are homeless, unable to find jobs, and suffering from chronic illnesses, including mental health disorders. Your auto donation can help them in ways you can never imagine.
We’ll sell your donated vehicle and distribute the proceeds to our nonprofit partners. These IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations use the money we give them to provide their deserving veterans with free quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and other services.
In exchange for your contribution, we’ll send you a 100% tax-deductible sales receipt. This qualifies you to claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season. We will also pick up and tow away your car for free wherever it is located in the country. Plus, you can count on us to handle all of your donation paperwork, leaving you with nothing to work on.
The best reward you’ll get, however, is the experience of feeling the joy and satisfaction of contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of our nation’s heroes.
We accept almost all types of vehicles, including those that are no longer running properly. Head over to this page to learn what you can donate.
For more information on our donation process, you may visit our FAQs page. If you have any questions or concerns, get in touch with us through our toll-free hotline 877-594-5822 or send us a message here. We’ll respond to you as soon as we can.
Touch the Lives of Our Nation’s Heroes
A simple vehicle donation from you can go a long way in uplifting the lives of the disadvantaged vets in your community. It’s the least you can do to thank them for their invaluable service to our nation. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form now!
Last Updated: March 8th, 2023