Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

We're all pretty used to odd sounds coming from our automobile when something isn't working quite right. You may not realize that the way your vehicle smells could also indicate that something isn't quite right. Some smells may be very strong and obvious when it comes to a malfunction. Other smells may resemble something you wouldn't associate with your vehicle. We here at Husker Chevrolet want to make sure that your vehicle runs smoothly and dependably, so we encourage you to have any odd smells checked out by our technicians.

Burning Rubber Smell

Burning rubber can be a sign of a problem with your braking system. Your brake pads may be the end of their life and in need of replacement. You could also be experiencing a problem within your engine. There is a gasket that keeps everything sealed up while your automobile is running. If that gasket becomes damaged or it's worn down from regular use, you could start to smell that burning rubber smell.

Burned Carpet Smell

You should have your brake pads checked out if you smell something that resembles burning carpet. You likely need a new set of pads, or they need to be adjusted.

Gym Clothes Smell

If your vehicle is the primary automobile for your family, you may have some kids leaving their gym bags in the trunk or backseat. However, if this smell is emanating from your vehicle and not gym bags in the back seat, it may be an indication of mold or mildew growing in your A/C system. To reduce the unpleasant odor, turn the fan on high to dry out the system.

Rotten Egg Smell / Sulfur

The smell of rotten eggs is one smell that you won't be able to ignore. Your catalytic converter plays a big role in how your emissions system is working. If you're not filtering those harmful chemicals out before they dispel into the air, you could notice the smell of rotting eggs or sulfur. Don't ignore this issue for very long. You don't want further damage to take place.

Sweet Syrup Smell

A malfunctioning cooling system or problem with your antifreeze could lead to a very sweet and syrupy smell. This same smell can come about if your heater and defroster aren't working when you turn them on.

Schedule an appointment with Husker Chevrolet if you're looking to have an odd smell diagnosed by our expert team of service technicians. We don't want you to drive around in a vehicle that isn't working properly, so let us know what you're experiencing so we can help you out.