What Is THAT Smell Coming From My Car?

You know your car has warning lights. But did you know it also has warning smells? Sometimes your nose knows there’s a problem before your dashboard does. You get into the car and think, What is that smell? First you blame the kids. Then the gym bag. Then the french fries that may or may not have been under the seat since February.

But sometimes that smell is actually your car trying to tell you something.

Sweet Like Maple Syrup?

If you smell something strangely sweet, especially after driving, it could be coolant.

Coolant has a distinct sweet smell, and a leak could be coming from somewhere in the cooling system. If the smell is inside the vehicle, a heater-core problem is one possibility. Don’t just enjoy the maple-syrup aroma. Have it checked. And please don’t open a hot radiator or cooling system. Hot coolant can cause serious burns.

Rotten Eggs?

That’s one you don’t forget. A sulfur or rotten-egg smell can indicate a problem involving the fuel or emissions system, including the catalytic converter. Your car should not smell like breakfast went terribly wrong. Get it checked.

Something Burning?

Pay attention. Burning oil can happen when oil leaks onto a hot engine or exhaust component. A burning-rubber smell could come from a belt, hose, tire or another component that’s rubbing or overheating. And an electrical-burning smell?Don’t ignore that one. If you smell something burning, see smoke, or you’re unsure whether the vehicle is safe to drive, pull over somewhere safe, shut the vehicle off and get professional help.

Dirty Socks or Musty Basement?

Ahhh, that lovely car fragrance. A musty smell when you turn on the heat or A/C can be related to moisture, the cabin air filter or the HVAC system. And remember our lesson about water inside the car: the carpet can feel dry on top while there’s still moisture underneath.

Don’t just hang another air freshener. Find the source.

Gasoline?

You might occasionally smell fuel briefly at a gas station. But if you continue smelling gasoline in or around your vehicle, don’t assume that’s just what cars smell like.

It needs attention.

And Then There’s… Dead Mouse

If the smell is less “mechanical problem” and more “something died in here,” well… Something may have. Rodents can get into engine compartments, airboxes and ventilation systems. Mickey does not always leave voluntarily.

You Auto Know! 

Here’s what I want you to remember: Your dashboard isn’t your car’s only warning system.

Use your senses.

LOOK. LISTEN. SMELL.

You don’t have to diagnose the car yourself. You just have to notice when something changes.

And when you bring your car in, don’t be embarrassed to say: “It smells weird.”  Tell us what it smells like, when you smell it and where you notice it. Those clues can help us diagnose the problem.

Your nose knows more than you think.

Now you Auto Know.

Maple syrup / sweet smell → possible coolant

Rotten eggs → possible exhaust/catalytic-converter or fuel-system issue

Burnt toast/electrical smell → wiring/electrical issue; don’t ignore it

Burning oil → possible oil leaking onto something hot

Burning rubber → belt, hose, tire or another component rubbing/overheating

Musty basement / dirty socks → moisture, cabin filter, HVAC or mold/mildew

Gasoline → needs attention; don’t just assume “cars smell like gas”

Dead-animal smell → well… we already know Mickey might have moved in.