Is smoke coming out of your vehicle’s tailpipe? Moreover, what does it mean? Here are a few possible causes of tailpipe smoke and how to tell what may be the problem.

Black Smoke

We have all seen that vehicle with billowing black smoke coming out of the tailpipe. What is even worse is when you are driving behind that person. Black smoke generally indicates that the fuel/air mixture is too rich. Either too much fuel or too little air is going through the engine. There are several issues that could cause this problem such as clogged fuel injectors, fuel regulators gone awry or dirty engine air filter. Best to get it checked out because overtime, any of these problems can lead to more expensive repairs.

Grey Smoke

If the smoke coming out of the tailpipe is grey (sometimes with a blueish tint), this usually indicates the car is burning oil somewhere. Oil could potentially come from a leaking gasket or an aging motor. It could also indicate that oil levels are extremely low.  Running  vehicle on low oil levels can ruin an engine, leading to very costly repairs.

White Smoke

It is time to pull over if you see persistent and copious amounts of white smoke coming out of your tailpipe. This could mean coolant is burned in the engine due to a blown gasket or a cracked engine block. This could be a dangerous situation and the vehicle should be seen by an automotive specialist right away.

Is smoke coming out of your tailpipe? The automotive specialists at Southside Auto Repair are here to help keep you safely on the road. If you have any questions about your vehicle’s needs feel free to give us a call. And by the way, if you notice someone’s tailpipe smoking, let them know. Sometimes, people don’t notice and you could be saving then a lot of trouble down the road.

Safe Travels

Southside Auto Repair

719.561.1392