Five Likely Causes Of Automobile Stenches

Have you ever been in a car or a cab and wondered why it smells a certain way? Some people panic and think that their gas tank has a leak or there is something really wrong with the different parts of the car. That may be the case if you know what it is that you smell.

But before you get in a panic when you get those smells building in your car, first find out what is causing the odors so that you can pinpoint exactly what the problem is if there is any. Here are some smells that you will probably come across with your car and their possible causes.

• Fuel – Now, fuel is something that you have to be careful with. So when you do start to smell something like it, you do have reason to panic a little. There are actually two ways why you are smelling gas from the inside of your vehicle.

The first reason is that your fuel tank's ventilation is blocked and choked so the fumes find another way out. The other reason is that the gas tank is overflowing. Make sure to have your gas tank checked once this starts to happen to your car.

• Odors – You know those really musty odors that seem to find their way around your car almost every time you get it washed and vacuumed? The likely reason for this is that there is water trapped inside or under the carpet of your vehicle.

You should try to find where the wet area is because this will start to damage your car carpet and eventually it will start to corrode other parts of your car that might not be properly protected. The only way to do this is to have the carpets removed and for you to start cleaning and drying what's underneath.

• Smoke – If you have an automatic or an electric car, smelling electrical smoke means that there is really something wrong with your vehicle. When this happens while you are driving, pull to the side of the road and shut your engine off.

Check what's going on under the hood of your car to see if there are any wires touching each other or if there are any areas of your engine that are burning. It's important that you find the cause for the smell and fix it as soon as you can. Seeking professional help would be the best thing to do in this situation.

• Exhaust – Smelling exhaust fumes in your car is probably one of the most dangerous things that can happen. You can choke on exhaust fumes and that can be fatal. The cause is not that there is a hole in your exhaust but that there might be too much oil in the engine or that the oil has aged and is starting to burn. Check your oil regularly to see that it's not old.

• Rubber – When you smell rubber, you should instantly assume that there is something wrong with the tires overheating or there is too much friction between the tires and your brakes. Have this checked immediately as you may need new tires or new brake pads.