Why does my car smell?
- Rotten Egg Smell: Caused by battery issues, faulty catalytic converter, or leftover food. Mechanic inspection advised.
- Fishy Smell: Due to mouldy food, dead animals, or antifreeze leaks. Professional check recommended.
- Urine Odour: From mould in the AC system or bacteria. AC cleaning or mechanic consultation might be needed.
- Burnt Rubber & Petrol Smells: Indicate clutch, brake, or fuel issues. Immediate professional attention is essential.
Strange smells in a car may not always be a cause for alarm – it entirely depends on what the scent is and where it’s coming from. But other times, smells may indicate a serious issue in need of attention by a professional.
In this article, we’ll explore some specific car smells and what they could be telling you about your vehicle. This way, you can get things fixed quickly before they worsen.
Why does my car smell like rotten eggs?
If your car is filled with an unpleasant odour of rotten eggs, there could be multiple causes. One could be a damaged battery, as the sulphuric acid contained within might leak, causing the distinctive smell.
Another possible reason is a faulty catalytic converter. This component is responsible for converting smelly hydrogen sulfide into scent-free sulphur dioxide, so if it’s not working correctly, then this can lead to a build-up in the eggy smell.
Other causes can be an overused fuel filter, which can contribute to clogging the catalytic converter. Lastly, a simpler cause could be leftover food going off in the car. Because of the sheer variety of potential causes, it’s recommended to take your car to a mechanic to identify the precise reason.
Why does my car smell like fish?
Fish is definitely an out-of-place smell in a car, which is why it’s important to identify the source. First, check for any mouldy food or spilled drinks within the car itself – it might even be worth giving your car interior a deep clean and seeing if the smell persists.
One fairly alarming potential cause could be a dead animal inside the inner workings of your car, which needs to be investigated by a professional.
If your car is clean and no dead animals can be seen, another potential cause for the fishy smell is leaking antifreeze on hot components, which if you only smell it when the engine is turned on, it increases the likelihood of this being the cause of the issue. If you suspect an antifreeze leak, get a mechanic on the case.
Why does my car smell of urine?
By far the most revolting smell (if we do say so) you can experience in a car is urine. If you don’t have a pet that may have gone to the bathroom in the car, then the other possible option is a build-up of mould, mildew or bacteria in your air conditioning system, which can produce ammonia, giving off the unpleasant urine odour.
You could first try having the AC system cleaned. An alternative is needing the cabin filter to be changed – but if this fails then book your car in to be seen by a mechanic to diagnose and resolve the issue.
Why does my car smell like burnt rubber?
Burning rubber can often be indicative of excess friction or heat between the tyres and the road. It could also be a sign that the clutch is overheating, especially if you notice it when changing gears.
Other possible sources of the smell could be from problems with the brake pads, a dislodged engine belt, leaking coolant, or a rubber hose that is coming into contact with hot components under the bonnet.
Some of these faults are quite serious, so if the smell persists don’t delay in getting a professional to identify the exact cause.
Why does my car smell of petrol?
Petrol has a distinctive smell. If the scent is present inside your car, the straightforward conclusion could be it signals a leak of petrol somewhere.
A defective spark plug which means that fuel is not being ignited properly, leading to fume build-up could be another cause for a car smelling of petrol. Lastly, a loose petrol cap is worth checking; try checking it’s in good condition and retightening.
Given the seriousness of fuel leaking it’s important to get an expert to have a look and verify the source.
For dependable diagnostics for your vehicle, get in touch with Mr Tyre. We’re the leading chain of autocentres for Central England, providing a range of cost-effective services, including tyre fitting, new batteries, air conditioning re-gassing and more. Contact our team or visit your local branch to see how we can help.
