Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

Some smells are normal for any vehicle, such as the new leather smell or an air freshener. But, other strange smells emanating from the car are indications of possible mechanical issues. If you find a suspicious smell, be sure to visit our service center for an inspection. Below are a few smells to look out for while driving your car.

Maple Syrup

This sweet smell is apparent when the engine has been running for a few minutes. The coolant that contains ethylene glycol is leaking. The liquid could be passing through the radiator or the heater hose, cylinder head, or the manifold gasket. When there is a strong smell inside the cabin, it signifies issues with the heater core.

Gym Socks

The scent of gym clothes often is apparent when you turn on the heater or A/C. This is mildew that is growing in the moisture that condenses inside you're A/C evaporator. The best solution here is turning off the air conditioner and running the fan as you drive to dry out the system.

Gas Station

A gasoline smell can be apparent when the car is parked inside the garage or when the weather is warm. The scent emanates from raw gasoline. For older vehicles, the odor is typical. However, modern ones have evaporative emission systems that are very tight, meaning fuel odor is a result of a severe problem that needs immediate service. You will most likely notice a leak from the fuel injection line.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

The sulfuric or rotten eggs scent can be present at any time that your engine is running. The reason for this unpleasant smell is due to poor processing of hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust. The sulfide is supposed to be converted to sulfur dioxide in the catalytic converter.

Burned Carpet

This strange, burned carpet smell emanates from using brakes extensively. The reason for this issue is because the brake pads have overheated. This smell is typical, especially when driving down the hill, but not typical under normal driving conditions. If you smell this under normal driving conditions, check if the hand brake was left on.

There are usual smells that come with your car, but abnormal smells not found on a typical drive requires attention. Contact our Hyundai service center to schedule an appointment or visit our dealership to get a reliable diagnosis from our certified technicians today.