Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

If you start to notice an abnormal odor when you get in the car, it may be signs of underlying issues. You can get some idea of what the problem might be by figuring out the smell that you're noticing and tracing it back to a likely cause. Here, we detail some issues that you may notice with your car and what they could mean.

Burned Rubber

A burning rubber smell can mean a few different things. If the smell seems to be coming from outside or underneath the car, it can indicate issues with the brakes. A burning rubber smell can start when the brake pads wear out. When the brake pads wear out, they can cause friction with other components of the brake, producing a burned rubber smell. This smell can also be due to an oil leak. Leaking oil can create a burning smell when it hits the exhaust pipe while the car is running.

Gym Clothes

The smell of gym clothes can signify that the air conditioning system is dirty and needs to be cleaned out. The smell may be most noticeable when you turn on the heater or A/C system. Excess moisture in the environment can cause mold and mildew to accumulate in the A/C system. The problem may be solved by turning on the fan to let the system air out.

Burned Carpet

A burned carpet smell can also signify problems with the brakes. The brake pads could be overheated, which may produce the smell of burning carpet. Driving with the emergency brake on can also trigger this smell.

Syrup

A sweet, maple syrup smell can be a sign that there's a coolant fluid leak in your car. You may discover that you notice the smell more after turning the car on. The coolant fluid can leak from several areas, including the cylinder head or an intake manifold gasket.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

A rotten egg smell can indicate that your vehicle has something wrong with either its engine or its catalytic converter. When the catalytic converter is not processing hydrogen sulfide properly in the exhaust, the effects create a sulfuric or rotten smell.

If your car is producing any unusual smells, contact our Volkswagen dealership to schedule an appointment or visit us in Orlando so our service experts can get your car running smell-free.