Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

Cars can sometimes be a mystery. When your car has a problem, it might make strange smells. Those bad smells can be a warning sign of significant issues. No matter what kind of smell you're dealing with, we detail the various smells you might encounter and offer some clues about what might be wrong.

Burned Rubber

The smell of burning rubber might mean that there is leaking oil in the car. The oil can slowly drip onto the exhaust pipe when the vehicle is running, burning the oil and producing an unusual smell. A burning rubber scent can also be a sign that there is a problem with the brakes. The brake pads can get worn out and lose their protective cushioned material that keeps other parts of the brake from hitting one another.

Gym Clothes

The foul smell of gym clothes might mean that the air conditioning system should be aired out. While this problem isn't necessarily a major mechanical issue, it's a good idea to clear out the A/C system before the problem gets worse. You can try this on your own by running the fan, drying out the interior of the A/C system, including the A/C evaporator, where moisture condenses.

Burned Carpet

A burning carpet smell likely indicates a problem with the brakes. The brakes pads can also produce a smell of burning carpet when they are too worn out and overheat. If the brake pads are in good shape, the odor may be caused by driving with the emergency brake activated or when the brakes have been used excessively while driving.

Syrup

A syrupy smell similar to maple syrup might indicate a coolant containing sweet-smelling ethylene glycol is leaking in your car. If you notice that this smell is more prominent inside the cabin, it might signify issues with a bad heater core.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

A sulfur smell can be a sign that the engine or catalytic converter are not working correctly. The catalytic converter can produce this smell when it doesn't adequately process hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust system.

If your car is producing unpleasant smells, contact us or visit our Ford dealership in Mesquite, TX, to have our expert technicians properly identify the root cause of any strange smells. We are ready to get your back on the road, odor-free.