As far as I’m concerned, one of the perks of buying a new car is the “new car” smell that comes with it. I love it, but I have friends who characterize the smell as a noxious mixture of industrial chemicals. No matter, because eventually that fragrance goes away, and any subsequent car smells are often the result of what the car owner brings into the vehicle. However, most drivers have had the experience of detecting a strange odor that seems to come from the car itself, and not from the pizza in the back seat, and wondered if it’s something to worry about.
“If you’re noticing a strange smell,” says automotive repair technical advisor Steve Haney, “it’s usually a sign that something within the car needs attention. Like most vehicle issues, these problems shouldn’t be ignored. The longer you wait, the more complex and expensive the issue becomes to fix. And depending on the smell, you could be causing extensive damage to the engine.”
In this post, Haney and automotive information provider Jon Vorisek explain the likely causes of various odors and what they could be indicating about your car.
Why Paying Attention to Smells Matters
Most modern cars have sophisticated computers that continually scan systems for malfunctions, but they don’t catch all of them, and drivers have to remain alert. “Even though advanced diagnostics are really helpful for today’s vehicles, basic human senses still give us a lot of information,” says Vorisek. “Smells in particular can tell us a lot about what’s happening, and they often mean there’s a problem.”
How to Diagnose a Car Smell
Diagnosing car smells comes down to being attentive, identifying the smell and attempting to locate the source, says Vorisek. Sometimes you can find it yourself by looking under the car or under the hood, or simply following your nose. But sometimes you need help.
For instance, if you smell gasoline and see fluid dripping from under the car, the problem is pretty obvious: The fuel system is leaking. However, if you don’t see any drips, the smell could be coming from inside the car — specifically the engine. And if it’s in the engine, figuring out the problem — which could be a fuel mixture that’s too rich, or something more serious, like a ruptured fuel line in the engine compartment — is a job for a mechanic.
Common Car Smells and What They Mean
Sweet / Syrup-Like Smell
This is the smell of anti-freeze, and when you detect it, it almost always indicates a problem with the cooling system. A hose could be leaking, or maybe it’s the radiator or heater core. If you keep driving, all the coolant could eventually leak out, causing the car to overheat.
Burning Oil Smell
This sounds like one of the more dangerous car smells, but it usually isn’t. The engine is hot when it’s running, and any oil that gets on it because of a spill or a failing gasket will burn. This is something that needs attention, but it usually isn’t an emergency. However, warns Haney, if the leak is severe, it could be a fire hazard. “There are dozens of places where oil could leak from under the hood, and any one of those could give you a hot oil smell. It’s always best to get it checked by a professional if you aren’t able to see anything easily.”
Rotten Egg / Sulfur Smell
This smell could be caused by a failing catalytic converter or corroded battery connections. If it’s coming from your tailpipe, the cause is probably the catalytic converter, and it could signal other issues. “Most likely,” says Haney, “your Check Engine Light would be lit at this point.”
When the smell comes from the battery, it’s usually due to severely corroded terminals or an acid leak. Either way, Vorisek advises replacing the battery.
Burning Rubber Smell
Belts, hoses and other key components in the engine and elsewhere are made of rubber, and rubber burns when it overheats. If the smell is coming from the engine, pop the hood and check for a frayed or loose belt or a hose in contact with the engine block.
The smell could also be coming from the suspension, tires or braking system. The easiest-to-diagnose possibility is that the tires are severely under-inflated, which you can tell just by looking at the car, says Haney.
Burning Plastic Smell
When you smell burning plastic, suspect the electrical system. The wires are coated with plastic insulation, and it can melt or even burn when a wire overheats. “If this is happening,” says Haney,, “you would probably also see the lights in your vehicle flickering, or experience electrical components that simply don’t work at all.” He recommends that you don’t wait: take the car to a mechanic with the proper diagnostic equipment as soon as you can. Electrical issues can cause car fires.
Musty / Moldy Smells
A particularly sensitive friend of mine recently bought a used car that had suffered a leak through the windshield, and she spent $500 on deodorizing the vehicle. It had a musty smell she found intolerable that had been caused by water soaking into the carpeting. Leaks are a common cause of musty odors, but the A/C system can also produce them, especially if the cabin filter is clogged.
“While this isn’t mechanically dangerous,” says Haney, “it’s unhealthy to breathe moldy air, especially if you have young passengers or passengers with asthma.” My friend would agree with that.
Gasoline Smells
Yes, gasoline smells can come from a fuel leak, but smaller problems, like a loose gas cap or a faulty EVAP system in the fuel tank, could also be responsible. If you don’t see any dripping, and your car is performing normally, you can usually rule out fuel system issues, but Haney warns: “Gasoline exposure is harmful to your health, so if this is a repeat issue while driving, you will want to have your car serviced soon.”
Preventative Maintenance to Avoid Bad Smells
You can avoid many odor-related issues with regular professional maintenance. While changing your oil and filters, technicians may notice other developing issues that can result in bad car smells down the road. “The easiest smells to prevent ahead of time are moisture-related ones,” says Vorisek. “You can replace the cabin air filter, keep debris like leaves from collecting on the vehicle, and make sure spills are cleaned up and dried quickly.”
FAQ
Is it normal for a car to have any smell?
When the “new car” smell has subsided, most cars have a neutral odor. Keep in mind, though, that a car with its windows up is basically a closed system, and any odors that occupants bring with them are bound to be noticeable. Strange car smells could be coming from bags of groceries, pets, cleaning agents, or something equally inconsequential.
Can weather or seasons affect car smells?
“Seasonal conditions can absolutely affect bad smells in your vehicle, either activating the problems or exacerbating existing issues,” advises Haney. “In winter and spring, when it is wet outside, there may be more trapped moisture within your car, leading to mold and mildew. In the summer, heat intensifies all smells and your car is at a bigger risk of overheating, which can cause some of that sweet coolant smell, or the smell of burning rubber and plastic.”
About the Experts
- Steve Haney, who has more than 35 years of hands-on automotive repair experience, is a corporate technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket.
- Jon Vorisek is the founder of Repair Surge, an automotive service information provider covering more than 10,000 vehicle models. He has over twenty years of experience in the automotive industry.
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