Did you know that certain smells could indicate a serious auto repair issue that requires urgent attention? No one likes a nasty smell, but when that smell is coming from your vehicle, it’s even worse. That’s because it’s likely to mean a problem with your car, and car problems mean money spent on auto repairs and maintenance.

If you understand what different car smells mean, however, you’ll have useful information to give your trusted auto mechanic when you take your vehicle to the shop. That information, along with your technician’s experience and diagnostic tools, will be needed for getting an accurate diagnosis so the problem can be fixed ASAP.

5 Common Car Smells and What They Mean

While this certainly isn’t an exhaustive list of all possible car smells, it will give you an idea of some of the odors you might encounter as a vehicle owner and what they might indicate.

Burned Paper – If you’ve ever burned papers in the fireplace, you’ll recognize this distinctive smell. Usually, it occurs as your vehicle is shifting through gears. That’s because the clutch facing is becoming hot and burning up with a slipping clutch. If you smell this, make an appointment to get your car repaired right away.

Hot Oil – If you notice this smell when your engine is hot, the culprit is usually an oil leak. Depending on whether the leak is from a faulty crankshaft seal, valve cover, or another part altogether, the amount of oil lost could be significant. Schedule an appointment with your mechanic so the leak can be found and fixed before engine damage occurs.

Burning Toast – This is one of those car smells that might not be a huge deal at first but when left unchecked, it can cause bigger problems. The cause of this smell is typically an electrical problem – short circuit, burning or melting insulation, etc. Since electrical issues can affect a variety of your vehicle’s systems, it’s best to get this problem diagnosed right away.

Smoke – Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If you see or smell smoke coming from your vehicle at any time, don’t ignore it! It’s not worth taking any chances … get out of your car and have your vehicle towed to your local auto repair shop ASAP to diagnose the problem and get it fixed before more damage occurs or someone gets hurt.

Smelly Socks – If the air coming out your vehicle’s air vents smells like your kid’s smelly gym bag, it’s probably NOT their dirty laundry left in the car. Rather, the culprit is more likely to be mildew in your air conditioning unit. This is one of those car smells that isn’t exactly an emergency but riding in your car may not be very enjoyable until you get it fixed. Schedule air conditioning deodorizing service at your local repair shop.

Professional and Affordable Auto Repairs in Tempe, AZ

If you notice any of these 5 car smells, you’ll want to head to your favorite Tempe auto repair shop as soon as possible. Even if the cause is a simple one to fix, it’s better to catch the problem when it’s small and before it leads to bigger problems.

If you’re looking for top quality auto repairs at an affordable price, you’ve found the best auto repair shop around Tempe and Mesa, AZ. Simply give us a call or schedule an appointment for service online today!