6 strange smells that warn of car problems

1. Burning smell

When you smell a burning smell, it means that there is a device or spare part that has caught fire, leading to this smell. There are many reasons for this, such as a burnt electric switch, a loose belt that rubs against other devices, causing a burning sound. Or it could be the driver's mistake of forgetting to release the handbrake, causing friction for a long time, creating a burning sound.

This smell is often characteristic of excessive brake use, especially when going downhill. Many people when going downhill let the car drift and use the brake continuously, the temperature of the brake increases, leading to a burning smell and possibly loss of effectiveness.

If you detect this smell, you should immediately stop the vehicle for inspection to avoid unfortunate situations such as brake failure causing an accident.

2. Burning rubber smell

When the driver detects the smell of burning rubber, it is likely that the belt is loose or the hose is not tight, hindering the movement of the parts, causing the smell of burning rubber.

Or the cause is when moving in hot weather, long-term vehicle operation, sudden braking causes the car to skid on the road, leading to the car tires being burned by the asphalt, causing the smell of burning rubber. Drivers should limit sudden braking, braking until the tires stop on the road to avoid the above phenomenon.

3. Smell of engine oil

Engine oil leaks in two typical states: pressurized and unpressurized. When you smell oil, it means the engine is leaking engine oil under pressure caused by operation. Engine oil will leak through the vehicle's exhaust pipe.

In this case, you should check the oil dipstick and add the leaked oil to keep the engine running normally and carry out timely car maintenance checks.

4. Sweet syrup smell

This is most likely a smell that comes from a coolant leak, which can cause a sudden engine shutdown if the entire system overheats. If you want to open the radiator at the front of the car to check it yourself, you need to pull over and wait for the engine to cool before checking the coolant level. Because opening the radiator cap while it is boiling can cause steam to spray into your hands and eyes.

5. Rotten egg smell

When the car smells like rotten eggs, it may be because the exhaust filter is not able to completely convert H2S into SO2. This affects the air in the car, causing loss of concentration while driving, and in the long run will affect health. If there is a situation of both rotten egg smell and weak engine performance, the car user should take the car to be repaired immediately.

Depending on the condition of the vehicle, you can call for support from the vehicle's technical experts or garage to handle it.

6. The smell of gasoline

There are many reasons why a car smells of gasoline, such as a leaking gas tank cap or a punctured or cracked gas line that causes gasoline to leak out into the engine, causing the gasoline smell to rise.

When there is a smell of gasoline, it is a warning sign of a possible gasoline leak, which can easily lead to a car fire or explosion. Therefore, drivers should not be subjective but should check the fuel tank, fuel lines, etc.