Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

You may be concerned about the strange scent coming from your vehicle. Different car problems can produce various scents. Here, we detail some strange car smells you may encounter and what they may be indicating.

Burned Rubber

A burning rubber smell suggests that your car's brakes might be due for repairs. The brakes will create excess heat and friction when the brake pads wear out. When the brake pads get worn out, which naturally happens with age and also braking hard, problems can result. A burning rubber smell will also be caused when oil leaks onto a hot exhaust pipe.

Gym Clothes

The gym clothes smell typically emanates inside the vehicle. This smell usually signifies that mildew or mold is accumulating in the air conditioning system. This smell, you may notice, worsens when the air conditioning is running. It can also be worse when you drive with the windows up. Airing out the system by letting the fan run can alleviate the smell.

Burned Carpet

Burning carpet is another highly unpleasant smell. This common car odor may also stem from braking system issues. In this case, the brake pads can lose their protective layer. That produces friction, heat, and a burning smell from the metal parts being exposed and hitting against each other. Leaving the emergency brake up while driving causes this smell as well.

Syrup

A sweeter smell like maple syrup means it's time to bring your car to a service technician. This smell can indicate a coolant fluid leak, which quickly worsens if not addressed soon. Coolant fluid leaks may start in several different places, which a technician can locate and fix.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

Sulfur, another unpleasant smell, comes from problems with the engine or a part called the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter can stop adequately processing air and gas, creating a rotten egg odor. This problem requires immediate attention.

Strange car smells can stem from many sources. Contact our Subaru dealership today for efficient diagnosis and servicing to keep your car running safe and sound.