When it comes to identifying truck engines by color, it used to be simple. If you couldn’t use the plate for whatever reason, you could generally tell an engine by its trademark color. However, with all the different variations and subtypes of engines these days, we thought we’d pick out some of the more recognizable colors for engines to help you out!
For starters, Cummins engines are usually painted in a shade of black or blue. These are the traditional colors of Cummins engines and is often used as a way to easily identify a Cummins engine in a piece of equipment. However, It is not uncommon to find engines of other colors, especially when they are repainted or rebuilt.
There are some models of Cummins engines, specifically the ISX series, that are painted red. These ISX engines are designed for long-haul trucking, bus, and motorhome applications. The red serves as an easy way to identify these specific engines when in use.
When it comes to Detroit, their engines are typically painted in a shade of blue (slightly different shade than Cummins). The blue color provides a durable and protective finish for the engine, helping to prevent rust and corrosion. The blue color is also used to help set them apart from competitors.
Caterpillar (CAT) engines are generally painted in a shade of yellow, and get used in construction equipment, power generators, and other various industrial applications. You can almost always identify a CAT engine in a piece of equipment by this distinctive yellow. This color choice is also consistent with their yellow-colored construction equipment.
Most of the time, Mack engines are painted in a shade of black. The black color is a trademark of the Mack brand and has been used for many years. The color may also make it easier to spot issues with the engine.
PACCAR engines are usually painted in a shade of white. The color white is often used as a way to easily identify a PACCAR engine in a piece of equipment, and it’s painted this way to provide a clean and professional appearance. The color white may also make it easier to spot issues with the engine such as leaks, spills and dirt, making it easier for maintenance and inspection.
International engines are typically painted in a shade of black, the traditional color of diesel engines used in heavy-duty trucks and buses, as well as construction and agricultural equipment.
These are just some of the better known engines, and are by no means the only colors of engines out there. Using color alone is generally not the best way to identify your engine but depending on what you’re driving, you may not be far off when you guess by color!
