When your car AC smells bad, and you cannot get around without the AC on, things can get pretty annoying. Imagine you get into your car in the morning and turn on the AC only to be disturbed by something unpleasant. Nobody enjoys that, and neither do they want it.
However, car AC smells are more common than you might have thought, and many potential culprits are behind this. In this blog, we will take a closer look at some of the common causes behind these smells and how we can eliminate them. So, let’s get started before the smell drives you mad!
What Are The Common Reasons That Your Car AC Smells Bad?
Unfortunately, there is not one but many reasons why your car air conditioner smells bad. Hence, it is also important to understand these reasons and find proper ways to get rid of them. So, let’s take a look at some of the most common of these reasons:
1. Fungi and Bacteria:
It is no secret that bacteria and fungi will call your AC system home at the first chance. This is the perfect environment for them, considering it is moist and damp. While the smell might be bothering you, these microorganisms are fine with it, and this might be the source of your car aircon stink.
2. Mildew and Mold:
These two are among the most common culprits behind your bad or foul car AC stink. When you turn the AC off, the ducts and the evaporator coil can collect moisture, resulting in a damp environment. This is the perfect environment for the growth of these organisms and also the reason behind that mouldy air conditioner smell.
3. Food and Drink Stain:
As surprising as it may sound, spilling foods and drinks inside the car can do more than get the interior wet. These spills often leave behind stains on the AC ducts and vents, which naturally decompose with time. With the bacteria back into action, it is likely that this is the answer to why your air conditioner smells like vinegar.
4. Insects and Rodents:
In most cases, when you live in hot and humid regions, the attack from rodents and insects is quite common. But in certain cases, these insects and rodents might call your car their home without you even knowing. After they leave for better accommodation, they leave behind droppings and decaying bodies responsible for car AC smells bad headaches.
5. Pets Odour:
While we all love our pets, we also know that these furries are not always great in cars. They often leave behind furs and bodily fluids that might contribute to the adverse smell. This smell might be trapped in the system leaving your car aircon smelly.
6. Cigarette Smoke:
Every smoker knows how difficult it is to get rid of cigarette smell. Now, imagine what happens when this smoke is trapped in your car’s AC system. This will trap the lingerie smell of cigarettes in the car, leaving you with smoky car AC smells.
Also Read: 13 Best Shock Absorber Brands – Experts Choice
What To Do When Car AC Smells Bad?
Now that you are clear about the common reasons why your car AC smells bad, it is time to address this issue properly. So, let’s check out some of the things you can do to get rid of these smells from your car:
1. Check Your AC Ducts Properly:
The first thing to do when your AC stinks in car is to check all the AC ducts. You can use a duct freshening spray or even a simple household cleaner to clean them. If possible, wipe the duct as far as you can reach it or use something more flexible.
2. Ensure Regular Cleaning:
Another great and truly simple way to address this issue is by simply cleaning your car regularly. You must clean the filters, evaporator coils, and other essential components of the AC unit. You can even take the car to a mobile auto mechanic to get professional cleaning without damaging the car.
3. Check the Cabin Air Filter:
Every car has a specialized filter that eliminates dirt and dust particles by pulling the air from the cabin. In case your air conditioner car smell persists for long, you might want to consider getting new filters. You can check the owner’s manual to choose the right filter compatible with your system.
4. Consider an Ozone Treatment:
In case you are dealing with some stubborn car air con stink, you can consider an ozone treatment. The secret about ozone is it is a very powerful disinfectant that kills mould, bacteria, and viruses. But remember that it can also be harmful to you and your pets, so always consider choosing a professional for the task.
5. Check the Condensation Drain:
Clogs in the condensation drain are evident when you find that there is no proper drainage of water outside the car. Instead, you will see water accumulating in the front footwells, which is both an eyesore and smelly. You can try to unclog the pipe from underneath the car if you can find the drain. In case you don’t find the drain, reach out to the mobile car mechanic Perth and seek help from the professional.
Wrapping Up
The problem of car AC smells bad is not anything new but the effect of this problem can make you feel weird even with a single sniff. This makes it very important to ensure you are aware of the primary causes behind these smells. It could be anything from mould to pet odours and even organisms that can make AC smell like mildew.
Once you identify the exact cause of why your AC in car smells like gas, you must take measures like cleaning the car regularly, avoiding cigarettes, checking for clogged pipes and much more. This should be enough to help you get rid of this smell for the good. However, if you have issues with the DIY approach, reach out to the finest mobile car service Perth and fix this issue in no time.
Also Read: Squeaky Brakes? 5 Major Reasons Behind It And How To Fix Them
