Breath In, Breath Out: Car Smells and What They Mean

Breath In, Breath Out: Car Smells and What They Mean

Cars can always carry an interesting assortment of smells. From bad food that rolled under the seat and spilled coffee to that gym bag you probably should have taken into the house a couple days ago. If you have kids, that smell can mean, well, anything.

Yet there are a host of smells that can clue you in on maintenance issues that you’d want to take care of.

1.    Musty smell

A common complaint is a musty or dirty smell to the air coming out of your ventilation system. A common culprit can be mold or mildew from moisture/condensation trapped in your vents from air conditioner use. It can also mean that your cabin filter is clogged or dirty. During the fall months, mice and other small mammals are eager to find warm, cozy spots to nest. It’s rather common for us to find all sorts of junk, hair and nutshells in cabin filters.

2.    Gas

Some people love the smell of gasoline and others hate it. Whatever camp you belong to, the smell of fuel should really only be present at the gas station while filling up. If you smell gas in your driveway or while driving, it could mean that you have a leak. This is a serious matter and you should have your car looked at right away. Check under your car for any fuel puddles and confirm if you have a leak.

3.    Exhaust

We’ve all been stuck behind a smelly car or truck – but if that smell is coming from your car while driving, you may have an exhaust leak. This type of issue is usually accompanied with increased noise from your car. It can also be a serious issue – if you smell exhaust, it’s very likely that you are also filling your cabin with carbon monoxide. This is a dangerous gas that can cause you to lose consciousness behind the wheel.

4.    Burning Rubber

Burning rubber is a very distinct and unpleasant odor that could mean that you have a slipping drive belt or an array of hose issues that could indicate a rub or leak. This can mean power steering fluid, brake fluid or some other critical component to the normal operation of your vehicle. Rubber degrades and eventually cracks, tears or simply comes loose over time. Replacing these components is considered typical maintenance and most cars have a recommended service schedule on these parts.

5.    Electrical Issue

Electrical issues can be serious as they indicate some sort of failure in the car’s electrical system. Today’s cars have, quite literally, miles worth of wiring within them. Electrical burns have a smell similar to burnt toast. However you wish to interpret it, pay attention and get it looked at right away. It could mean that a component is overheating and/or failing.

When it comes to caring for your car, paying attention to sights sounds and even smells can help keep you safe on the road and your car in good shape. Ignoring any of the above listed smells can mean immediate danger to you and compounding issues that can be more costly to repair.

Smelling something funky while driving your car? Bring your car to BBack Car Care for a diagnosis and a no obligation quote. Our expert technicians will be able to hone in the issue, make the appropriate repairs and have you loving your car again in no time.

Ready to get started? Request an appointment online or give our service desk a call today.