Everybody likes a nice smelling car. Sometimes, however, you might notice strange odors from your car, yet it's clean. We break down different car smells for you and what they mean about the condition of your car.
Burned Rubber
There are several reasons for a burned rubber smell. The most obvious reason is burning rubber in your vehicle. Several engine components contain rubber hoses. If these parts come in contact with a hot section of the engine, you'll notice the burned rubber smell.
Burned Carpet
If you get this smell while driving, it means your brake pads are overheating. This is mostly the case when you have been using the brakes extensively or have had multiple intense-braking situations. This smell could also mean the brake pads are worn out and you need to replace them. You can also get the burned carpet smell while driving with the handbrake on.
Gym Clothes
The gym clothes or locker room smell is most common when you turn on the A/C. Mildew tends to grow on a moist surface. When moisture accumulates in your A/C evaporator, mildew finds an appropriate surface to thrive. The best option to alleviate this odor is to turn on the fan to dry the system.
Syrup
You will typically get this smell when the engine is running or just after turning the engine off. The smell may be very pleasant, but it is usually an indicator that the coolant is leaking. The coolant contains ethylene glycol hence the sweet smell. However, ethylene glycol is very toxic. A failed intake manifold gasket, a leaking radiator cap are usually the culprits. If you get this smell in the passenger compartment, a bad heater core is to blame.
Sulfur or Rotten Eggs
Hydrogen sulfide present in the exhaust system causes this smell due to a failing catalytic converter's ability to process hydrogen sulfide. Leaking gear lube from the manual transmission can also cause this smell.
We advise you to act on any strange car smell as soon as it arises because it indicates an underlying problem. When the problem deteriorates, it could lead to costly repairs. Contact us or visit our Ford dealership in Santa Clara, CA, to have your car checked by the industry's best car experts.
It's interesting if you think about it - despite the fact that almost everyone in the United States drives or has driven in the past, millions of drivers are limited in their knowledge of their vehicle's more intricate parts and functions. One such part and one that's rarely considered by drivers is power-steering fluid. Like all automotive fluids, it's easy to forget about until it runs low and sometimes it can be hard to identify when it needs to be replaced. With this handy guide, you should be able to identify when your power steering fluid is…
All advertised sale prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, 85.00 dealer documentary charge, electronic filing fee, and any emissions testing charge. See dealer for complete details. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details.
