Car Smells to Watch Out For — Infographic

Something Sweet & Syrupy

Most likely, this is the result of a coolant leak, the exact location of which will depend on whether the smell is strongest outside or inside the car. Coolant contains ethylene glycol, which has a sweet smell, so if it is leaking from somewhere in your car’s cooling system, you’ll notice a sweet smell once your engine has warmed up. The leak itself could be anything from a bad hose or gasket to a bad heater core. Pay attention to when the smell arises and bring that information to your mechanic so they are better able to diagnose the problem.

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Gasoline

To be straightforward, this likely means you have a fuel leak. It could be a fuel injector problem or an issue with the fuel-tank vent hose. Either way, you’ll have to take your car to a trusted mechanic to get it properly diagnosed and repaired. Not only will you have trouble passing an emissions test, but you’ll also suffer worse fuel economy with a fuel leak.

Burning Carpet

You may have never smelled burning carpet before, but if you’re overusing your brakes, a corresponding burning smell means they’re overheating. If you’ve been driving normally and notice this smell, you may want to make sure your emergency brake is completely disengaged. If it is still even partially engaged, you could be overheating those parts and causing damage. Alternatively, you could have a dragging brake that needs to be addressed to avoid wearing down your brake pads faster than usual. No matter which of these is your cause, it’s a good idea to head to a local mechanic for a brake repair service to make sure no serious damage was done. Any of the above causes can result in additional damage if left unaddressed.