Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

Your car can produce many odd smells when something isn't right. While some smells don't point to a major problem, others should be taken seriously. Some smells can suggest a problem with critical parts of the car, including the brakes and the engine. Here, we provide some of the most common unusual smells and what they might mean.

Burned Rubber

The smell of burning rubber can be due to several problems. One source of this smell is the brakes. The brakes will start to produce a burning smell when the metal parts create friction as you drive, resulting in the brakes to release an unpleasant burning smell. The smell can also come from the engine. The engine can leak oil, which produces a similar odor when drops of oil land on the hot exhaust pipe as you drive.

Gym Clothes

The most likely source of a musty gym clothes smell is mold in the air conditioning unit. Mold can start to grow in the wet, humid, and moist environment typically found in air conditioning systems. You can try turning on the fan, without turning on the A/C itself, to air out the system and dry out the components.

Burned Carpet

A burning carpet smell can also be caused by a brake problem. The brake pads can create this smell when they have been used extensively or are too worn out. The problem can also be caused by driving around with the hand brake engaged.

Syrup

The sweet smell of maple syrup is usually apparent after running your engine for a few minutes. This smell often indicates a coolant fluid leak from the cylinder head, radiator or a failed intake manifold gasket. A mechanic can take a look at your car to diagnose the problem and determine where the leak is coming from.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

A sulfuric or rotten smell can point to engine problems or an issue with the catalytic converter. This smell may indicate that the engine is running poorly or that the catalytic converter isn't processing hydrogen sulfide properly in the exhaust.

If your car smells off, be sure to contact or visit our service center at Vandergriff Honda for your automotive care needs. Our certified service experts are happy to assist in getting your car back in its proper condition and running dependably.