Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

You want your car to smell fresh and inviting, but there are times when your vehicle smells less than great. Some smells you might be able to identify, but there are other smells where you might not be able to pinpoint the cause. In fact, you might have some odor in your car that signals a much larger problem. Take a look at some of these smells and what they might mean.

Burned Rubber 

If you smell burned rubber, there are a few things that you should check out on your vehicle. One of the biggest things that could be going wrong with your vehicle is a bad gasket. When gasket oil leaks onto the engine, you could smell a burning rubber smell. Another possibility is if a rubber hose comes loose and is rubbing against another part.

Burned Carpet 

If you smell something like burned carpet, it usually has to do with your brakes. If you were driving and using your brakes a lot, your brake pads might be worn and overheated. Another thing that you should check is whether or not the hand brake was on as you were driving, which will also cause a lot of friction on your brake pads. Either way, you should get your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Gym Clothes 

The smell of gym clothes should stay in the locker room, but if you're noticing it in your car, you probably have mildew growing in the condenser coil of your A/C system. Luckily, there's a free and straightforward fix. Simply turn off the A/C system but leave the fan blowing to dry out the system. If the issue persists, additional repair or replacements may be necessary.

Syrup 

Fresh maple syrup smells great when you drizzle it on your pancakes, but it's not a smell you want coming from your car. If you smell syrup, you might have coolant leaking from the cylinder head or radiator. Otherwise, the smell might be coming from a heater problem if you're noticing that the smell is strongest when you're in the vehicle. You should take your car to the mechanic immediately either way.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

The smell of sulfur indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide, which comes from the catalytic converter not processing it correctly. If you smell rotten eggs, you probably have a more significant problem that your mechanic should look at immediately.

Funky smells can indicate much larger problems on your vehicle. If you're ever questioning whether something is wrong, the best bet is to take it to Reliable Chevrolet. Our mechanics are equipped with the knowledge to identify whether or not it's something to be concerned about.