Lindquist Ford Auto Repair Service Center

Strange Odors Can Lead to Car Troubles

Whenever funky smells start coming from your car, can be a perplexing and confusing situation. If the inside of the vehicle isn't the source of the smell, it might be a precursor for possible mechanical issues down the road. At  Lindquist Ford Auto Repair Service Center in Bettendorf, IA, we employ only certified techs that can deduce what these odors are and discover the source. We've experienced this scenario many times before, so here are a few weird car smells and what they might mean.

Burning Paper

The scent of burning paper is never pleasing to the senses, and if it takes place when you're changing gears it is never a good sign. A good mechanical shop will be able to identify this situation quickly. In many cases, it could be a clutch facing that is burning off as the clutch starts to slip. This can also take place if the you are “riding” the clutch or hitting the the pedal too much, which can cause undue friction and generate more than enough heat to burn the paper-based clutch facings, thereby producing the smell and causing the clutch to fail altogether.

Burning Oil

Are you detecting the odor of burning oil? If so, you first need to check your oil's dipstick, because you might be running out of oil or your engine could be running too hot. If you have sufficient oil and your temperature is okay, check for oil leaks and then have an expert technician take a look at transmission fluid. You might be burning up the transmission, due to the fact that the gears aren’t sufficiently lubricated, which causes friction. Also be sure that you’re using the correct type of engine oil that is recommended by the manufacturer and made for your vehicle.

That Musty Smell

If you turn on your heater or air conditioner and detect that musty smell,  like you might  likely have mildew building up inside your A/C's evaporator. If so, shut down your air condition asap and turn on the fan to dry it out and solve the problem.

Burning Carpets

The odor similar to carpets that were destroyed by fire could possibly mean that your car's brake pads are seriously overheated. It also means that you may have left your emergency brake on. In this case, take your vehicle to a skilled mechanic to replace the worn brake pads.  

 Lindquist Ford Auto Repair Service Center, 3950 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722 

S ources: DIY Network and Ask.com