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What is that strange car smell and where is it coming from?
By Product Expert | Posted in Tips, Vehicle Maintenance on Tuesday, September 27th, 2016 at 9:32 pm
Strange Car Smells and What they Mean
Have you ever smelled something strange in your car and have had no idea where it was coming from? Many drivers will experience this eventually and most will have no idea what the cause of it is. Bad car smells are often caused by something mechanical and can lead to expensive repairs if you neglect to have them checked out and fixed. If you’re still in the dark as to why your car is so stinky, this list of strange car smells and what they mean will be perfect for you.
What is that Smell Coming from My Car?
- Burning smell. If you catch a whiff of something that smells like it’s burning, chances are something is. It is most likely oil leaking onto a hot part of your engine or exhaust pipes.
- Rotten eggs. The smell of rotten eggs that is coming into your car is usually caused by a bad catalytic converter.
- Burnt rubber. When a belt starts to slip or is rubbing up on a moving part, you’ll catch an odor that smells like burning rubber.
- Sweet syrup. The sweet smell of syrup coming from your car doesn’t mean that there is a pancake cooking underneath your hood, your vehicle is most likely leaking antifreeze/engine coolant somewhere in the cooling system.
- Musty odor. This strange car smell can be traced back to your air-conditioning system. The musty smell is caused by mold and mildew that has formed in the system.
[Also Read: Why Your Car Needs an Oil Change]
If you have caught a whiff of any of these strange car smells, it’s time to take your vehicle into the repair shop and have it checked out. Waiting too long can cause more damage and lead to expensive repairs.
