Strange Vehicle Smells That Can Point to Car Issues

We’ve all smelled an unusual scent on the road before, such as the spray of a skunk on the highway or the heavy smell of gasoline when an eight-wheeler drives past. However, if you’re ever in your own vehicle, and notice a smell that doesn’t go away, don’t ignore it. A smell that won’t go away that you smell while driving is an indicator that something may be wrong with your vehicle. 

Some causes of a smell are less urgent than others, but the only way to be sure of the cause is to bring your vehicle into our shop an inspection as soon as you start noticing the weird smell. Here are some of the usual scents and what they can indicate:

Gasoline - This usually means that your vehicle has a gas leak. This could be from the fuel injector line or fuel tank. 

Burning Carpet - A burning carpet smell could be a sign of a brake problem. This should be inspected as soon as possible. 

Burnt Rubber - A burnt rubber smell could be coming from a drive belt or loose hose rubbing against drive pulleys. It can also indicate transmission or engine issues. 

Hot Oil - If you smell hot oil, oil could be leaking into the exhaust system. Another indication of this is an oil leak underneath your vehicle or smoking coming from underneath the hood. 

Syrup - If you smell sweet syrup, this could be a sign of an engine coolant leak. 

Rotten Eggs - Rotten eggs smell usually points to a catalytic converter problem. This can be dangerous for passengers. 

If you’ve noticed a strange smell while driving, don’t ignore it. Bring your vehicle into our professionals for a thorough inspection.