Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

We've all experienced that lovely car smell and can distinctly remember the day we purchased our fresh-smelling new vehicle. Likewise, those not-so-good smells are recalled just as much. Those smells, however, are far less than appealing. Luckily for you, we have identified some of the most common car odors and what these smells indicate.

Burned Rubber

The burning rubber smell can be due to several causes. If the smell occurs after a long drive, let the engine cool down and pop the hood. A common cause of this cabin smell is due to gasket and oil leaks. Should this be the case, it is crucial to have a mechanic look into it promptly. Additional causes include faulty electric, damage to the driving belt, or coolant leakage. No matter the case, this foul smell is both unpleasant and a clear indicator of a problem needing to be addressed.

Gym Clothes

Let's face it—the gym locker smell should only hit your senses at the gym. When the scent seems to have followed you into the car, this is often due to the air conditioning system. As mold and bacteria growth begins to take place, odors start to form. Commonly, the growth occurs in the A/C evaporator. Fixing this issue can be as easy as turning off the unit and using the fan to dry out the system.

Burned Carpet

The burned carpet smell has everything to do with your breaks. Premature brake wear or brake failure, in more extreme situations, emit strong odors. It is also a common occurrence if your calipers are dragging or sticking or if your brake pads are wearing thin.

Syrup

The smell of syrup is not good when it's coming from your car. The stench is more than likely due to coolant fluid that is leaking. The leak can come from the cylinder head, or heater or radiator hose, to name a few. The scent usually begins to appear faint and progressively becomes more apparent. As always, confirming the issue with your mechanic is highly necessary.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

This smell is primarily due to hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust system. The cause is due to sulfur in the gasoline, which cannot be converted into odorless sulfur oxide as it should.

Whatever the smell, be sure to contact our experts at Showcase Honda to get any strange smells properly diagnosed and serviced.