When you turn on the air conditioner in your car, you should naturally not smell anything. You should be welcomed with clean and cool air.  However, a pungent odor can signal something wrong with the A/C system.

Below are the top 3 common reasons why your car air conditioner may emit an unusual smell:

Explanation 1: Mold & Bacteria Growth

If you get a mildewy smell in your car, there’s a good likelihood that you have mold or bacteria growing in the A/C system. These microorganisms can grow when moisture is left in the evaporator. In some cases, turning on your air conditioner relieves the smell by drying up the moisture. If the problem is still there, you will need a professional to clean the drain tube in your A/C system and use an anti-bacterial cleaning agent.

Explanation 2: Gas Leak

If you smell gasoline every time you turn on the car’s A/C, then you probably have a gas leak. In simple terms, the gas smell is getting sucked into and mixed with the fresh air that gets spit through the A/C vents. Bring your car to Haglin Automotive, so our team can inspect your fuel components for a gas leak.

Explanation 3: Dirty Air Filter

When neglected, your car’s air filter may emit a strange smell. The air filter is responsible for blocking out dirt, dust, allergens, and other harmful pollutants so that you can breathe fresh air. Fortunately, a clogged air filter is an easy and inexpensive fix. We can replace your air filters at Haglin Automotive. 

If your car’s A/C reeks of a strange smell, please bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop soon. We can get down to the bottom of your A/C problem so that you can return to the road shortly.