Smells That Spell Bad Times For Your Car
Does something smell off in the car? Unless you’ve left a donut under the seat or someone has an accident, there’s a very good chance that your nose is catching the first sign of trouble. Here, we’re going to take a look and a sniff at the odors that should have your concerned and what they mean.
Gas smells
Almost all drivers should recognize the smell of gas since we regularly get a nose-full of it at the pumps. Unless you’ve just finished refueling, catching this smell inside the car means that something has likely caused the fuel to start dumping through the car and you’re in need of a service immediately. This could be down to leaky fuel lines or because your fuel pressure regulators are not behaving as they should. Given the flammability of fuel, getting off the road and having the car towed to the mechanic is your best bet.
Metallic smells
Some describe this smell as metallic and others describe it as burning. If you catch a whiff that matches either of those descriptions and you’re not seeing smoke from the engine, it’s most likely a problem with the brakes, as Certified Car Care states. First of all, make sure your emergency brake isn’t engaged. If it isn’t, then it might be that your brake pads are worn down or your rotors are misaligned. When this happens, there’s a lot more friction between your brakes and your wheel, causing this smell. If you smell it when you brake, or it’s accompanied by a screeching sound, it’s the brakes. If you smell it while accelerating, it might be the clutch instead.
Sweet smells
There aren’t too many things that have a sickly, sweet smell in the car. If you catch this particular scent, it’s almost always coolant. One other way to diagnose the issue of a coolant leak is to find a place to brake and check for leaks. Art of Manliness shows how to identify different leaking fluids. If your coolant is leaking, your engine is likely to overheat which can cause a lot of damage and, in some cases, can start fires. Not a problem to leave unaddressed, that’s for certain.
Damp smells
Damp smells aren’t usually as dangerous a symptom, but you still want to get it fixed. This happens when moisture builds up in the air conditioning system of the car and can result in mold or mildew if left alone for too long. Though it might not be as urgent, this mildew can cause respiratory problems and be particularly dangerous for those who have asthma, so you don’t want to let it linger. Get your AC conditioned, it might simply need a filter replacement.
If you catch any of the smells above, then your first step should be to get your car to a mechanic. Whether it’s signaling something wrong with the brakes, a leak, or engine trouble, a funky smell in the car is never something to be to be ignored.