Drivers have been urged to take action as soon as they encounter three common smells to prevent encountering huge repair bills and even fires breaking out.
Whilst motorists are often urged to listen out for certain noises or bumps to indicate faults, the car maintenance specialist JTAPE noted that smells can also be tell-tale signs that there is something wrong with a vehicle.
Chris Jevons, motoring expert at JTAPE highlgihted that drivers should be particularly considerate when encountering a burning smell in their car.
He advised: “Drivers who notice a burning smell from their heating system might be dealing with a few potential problems. A clogged cabin air filter could be overheating due to restricted airflow, or the blower motor might be failing and burning out, which can impact the system’s performance.
“In some cases, it might be worn belts or hoses in the engine bay, which can degrade and emit a burning odour. There’s also the possibility of electrical short circuits in the HVAC system, which not only cause unpleasant smells but could pose a fire hazard.”
JTAPE noted that a burning smell coming from the vents of a vehicle is typically caused by a fault with the heating and ventilation system, such as a dirty and overheating cabin filter or a broken blower motor.
However, this smell could also be caused by more serious issues under the bonnet, including worn-out belts or electrical issues, including burnt wires or short circuits.
Whatever the issue, it is important that drivers get their vehicle checked thoroughly by a mechanic to prevent any issues from worsening and the risk of a fire starting.
Another smell that Chris urged drivers not to ignore is a sweet smell, which could be a sign that there is a leak within the coolant system.
He continued: “A sweet, syrupy smell is often a sign of a coolant leak. This could be coming from a damaged heater core, which is a critical part of the system responsible for warming the air inside your car.
“A leaking heater core can lead to reduced heating efficiency and even foggy windows from coolant vapour. In some cases, the coolant may be leaking from hoses or the radiator, dripping onto hot engine components and creating that sweet odour.”
Finally, the motoring expert warned that one of the most serious smells a driver can encounter is that of petrol or diesel, urging owners to get their car checked immediately.
He added: “A fuel smell coming from your heater is extremely dangerous.
“This could mean there’s a fuel system issue, like a leak or improper combustion. If you detect this smell, turn off the heater, ventilate the car, and have it checked immediately.”
