Rich & Lori Pelletier

OUR BLOG

The Meaning Behind Common Car Smells

Your car can produce certain scents from time to time that may tell you what's wrong with it. To learn more about common car odors and what they mean, read this post by ;Oilrich in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

When your vehicle makes a sound you don't recognize, you pay attention to it and try to understand where it's coming from. Depending on your investigation, you may even take your vehicle to a mechanic (which is a good idea that you should stick to).

Well, the same thing should happen if you notice that your vehicle is emitting certain odors that you usually don't smell. Remember that scents also share information on the world around you, meaning your car is trying to tell you something through its odors.

To ensure that your vehicle will remain in top condition for years to come, you need to be aware of the different scents it gives off. To help out in this respect, the following post will share a list of the most common car scents and what they mean.

Maintain your vehicle properly to avoid nasty smells. Call ;Oilrich in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut ;at (203) 592-7113 or visit ;AMSOIL's online shop ;to find the best products to keep it in top shape.

What These Car Scents Are Telling You

The Aroma of Rotten Eggs

Unfortunately, we've all smelled the aroma of rotten eggs at one point or another. Lest you left a few eggs in your vehicle to rot, this scent is commonly related to sulfur. However, if you suddenly smell it in your vehicle, it may be that the ;catalytic converter (in charge of controlling the vehicle's emissions) is failing. A mechanic will be able to determine if that's the case.

The ;Sweet Scent ;of Maple Syrup

Nott all car odors smell bad. Some may smell sweet and make you crave a stack of pancakes. Sadly, instead of a delicious breakfast, what you may get is a leaking coolant. The cooling system regulates the vehicle's temperature, which is crucial. If you notice the smell of maple syrup and see green liquid under your vehicle, it's time for a mechanic to service your cooling system.

The best products can ensure your vehicle will remain in perfect working condition. Call ;Oilrich in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut ;at (203) 592-7113 or visit ;AMSOIL's online shop ;to place an order.

The ;Whiff of a Burnt Carpet

Hopefully, you've never had to smell what a burning carpet smells like. However, if your vehicle started to emit a whiff as if some fabric were burning, it would be time to take a look at the brake pads. They may be overheating (maybe if you're driving down a hill or if the hand brake is on). In any case, have a mechanic check the braking system.

The ;Funk of Burnt Oil

More often than not, if you start getting a sense that there's oil burning around you when you're driving, it means that something is up with your engine. The reason could be varied: it may need an oil change or something more complex going on. However, if you also see smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, go to a mechanic promptly.

To keep a strong and healthy engine for years to come, you should use the top products. To that end, purchase AMSOIL's ;Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil, the best synthetic oil.

The ;Nasty Stench ;of Burnt Rubber

This is the most straightforward scent on the list: if you smell burnt rubber, it means that rubber is burning. Many times, this can be traced back to rubber and a metal component coming into contact. As the metal heats, the rubber begins to burn. Simply move the rubber piece away (once the engine is cool) to make it stop. Still, a visit to a mechanic is still a good idea.

The ;Fragrance of a Dirty Gym Bag

Lastly, if you start smelling like you left a gym bag with your dirty, sweaty clothes in the backseat (and you haven't), you may have mold or mildew growing in the vehicle's vents. If you don't take good care of this situation, it could end up affecting your and your passengers' health. That's why, the moment you smell of mold, you should get the vents deep cleaned.