Car Smells and What the Issue Could Be

You may start to notice a weird smell emanating from your vehicle and wonder what the cause might be. Based on the smell, you can begin to narrow down the list of possible causes. Our helpful guide provides some information about the different smells your vehicle may be experiencing and what they mean

Burned Rubber

If you are smelling the burning rubber smell, it may result from the brakes. This smell can arise from riding the brakes when you drive or the parts wearing out. The worn brake pads produce friction and heat, creating the unpleasant burning smell. Other causes may be due to loose hoses, melted drive belt, or clutch issues.

Gym Clothes

A locker room smell will not go unnoticed. The most likely source of this smell comes from the air condition evaporator. The evaporator is prone to moisture accumulation, which invites mold and mildew growth. You can get fresh air into the system by turning the fan on high to dry it out.

Burned Carpet

This smell is also generally associated with braking system problems. Worn brakes and brake parts, such as the brake pads, can create a strong burning smell. Similarly, riding the brakes can make them overheat and smell bad. Driving with the hand brake up can cause friction and overheating as well.

Syrup

If you notice a sweet smell shortly after starting the car or after running the engine for a bit, leaking coolant fluid is likely to blame. The coolant fluid reservoir may leak from a few different spots, but all require a mechanic's expert diagnosis to prevent further mechanical issues from developing.

Sulfur or Rotten Eggs

Some drivers will notice a smell of rotten eggs when there's a problem with their car's engine or catalytic converter. The catalytic converter may produce the sulfur smell when it can't process gasses and air correctly.

When your car produces odd smells, contact our Lexus dealership for help. You can confidently rely on our certified techs to diagnose and repair any strange car smells. Bring your vehicle to our service center so we can keep your car dependable.