Most vehicles start out with a “new car smell,” but there are other
specific odors that motorists should never ignore. Identifying these
suspect smells early on can help car owners be car care aware and avoid
the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown, says the Car Care
Council.
“Unusual smells can be the sign of serious, and potentially costly,
trouble for your vehicle. By acting quickly and making necessary
repairs, you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing there is no harmful
damage to your car,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care
Council.
The Car Care Council recommends a sniff test of your vehicle to
identify any unusual smells, including the following six warning signs:
1. The smell of burnt rubber
could be slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses that might be
rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Do not reach in if the
engine compartment is hot.
2. The smell of hot oil
could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To verify the
leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area.
3. The smell of gasoline
is likely the sign of a gas leak in some area of the vehicle such as a
fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Any smell of fuel can result in a
possible fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given.
4. The sweet smell of syrup
may be a sign that your car is leaking engine coolant from a leaky
component related to the car’s cooling system. Do not open the radiator
cap when it is hot.
5. The smell of burning carpet
could be a sign of brake trouble and a safety hazard. Have your brakes
checked right away, especially if this smell is happening during normal
driving conditions.
6. The smell of rotten eggs
is never a good one and, if you smell it coming from your vehicle, it
could mean a problem with your catalytic converter not converting the
hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust to sulfur dioxide properly. This smell
can also be attributed to a poor running engine, causing the catalytic
converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown.
“When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it. Instead
bring your vehicle to a professional service technician that you trust
to get an informed opinion on the nature of the odor,” concluded White.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car
Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of
regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of
the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.
As read on: http://www.carcare.org/2013/08/six-vehicle-warning-signs-your-nose-can-recognize/
