Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

 

When you notice an unpleasant smell in your vehicle, it is important to find the root cause. The smell may be a sign of a more serious condition of your car that should be remedied to avoid further damage. Below are some of the more common bad smells that you may encounter in your car and what they might be indicating.

Burning Rubber

When you notice the smell of burning rubber in your vehicle, it may sign an engine oil leak. The reason that you smell burning rubber is because oil is leaking either into the engine or onto a hot surface where it gets burnt. This smell may be more noticeable on the outside of the car.

Gym Clothes

If you turned on your air conditioner to be met with the stench of dirty gym clothes, the A/C system might be the problem. If excess moisture collects and sits in the A/C evaporator, this provides the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. When you switch on the A/C, the fans force air to move over these deposits, causing it to pick up the stench that you notice from the vents.

Burnt Carpet

This smell could be an indication of a very serious problem. If you smell burnt carpet during or after using your brakes, it could mean that your brake pads are wearing out. This can be a dangerous problem if not taken care of immediately. Additionally, when brake pads wear out, the metal surface behind the brake pad starts to come into contact with the wheels, which can cause severe damage to both parts involved.

Syrup

The smell of syrup or a sweet scent may not at first be identified as being a problem at all. However, if the smell lingers or can’t be explained by other factors, it might be the coolant leaking. If you run out of coolant, your engine will quickly heat up to the point where it can potentially seize up, which can cause serious problems for the health of your engine.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

While it can be quite easy to notice this particular smell, it has a perhaps counterintuitive source. Unburned fuel in your catalytic converter can give off this a sulfuric or rotten smell. The root cause is usually a problem in the air-to-fuel ratio controlled by the fuel-injection system. If there is too much fuel in the mixture, it can clog the catalytic converter and lead to fumes building up in the system.

If your car has a strange unexplainable smell, bring your car into our dealership service center. Our experienced technicians will diagnose and repair any potential damage that is causing the strange smell.