Have you ever been driving down the road and all of a sudden start smelling something a little funky? If not, you’re lucky! But if you have, you know that some things that smell a little funky can mean bad things for your vehicle. This week, we are bringing you five smells that you should NEVER ignore and what they could mean. So, without further ado, let’s get started on those smells! And if you need a Nissan service appointment, schedule yours now at Younger Nissan of Frederick!

You Smell: Rotten eggs
What It Is: This could mean that your catalytic converter is having issues. And hydrogen sulfide could be making its way into your exhaust. This could simply be a fuel injection issue, or your cat is failing. Unfortunately, this could end up being a pretty expensive repair and lastly, if you smell the rotten eggs when your vehicle is turned off, that funky smell could just be some old food stuck under your seat or an old gym bag!  

You Smell: Hot oil
What It Is: The easiest smell of all to diagnose is hot oil. This happens when oil leaks onto your exhaust manifold which is hot due to your engine running. This smell is not pleasant so you’ll probably notice it right away! Take a look around your engine and vehicle to look for leaks. Also, keep an eye out for any smoke. If you can find the leak, try to stem it, then bring your car to the shop as soon as possible.

You Smell: Sulfur
What It Is: When you smell sulfur in your car, it’s safe to assume that it is gear lubricant leaking from either the manual transmission, transfer case, or differential housing. Sulfur compounds in the oil are used as extreme pressure lubricants for gears and after being in use for a while, these substances can get smelly and gross. Check for those oily puddles under your vehicle and if you notice any, bring your ride in for a check-up! 

You Smell: Maple syrup
What It Is: While this one might sound delicious, it’s most definitely toxic! The coolant has ethylene glycol in it, which makes this smell a bit concerning. If you’re smell maple syrup, that means there’s a leak somewhere and you’ll want to stop in for our technicians to take a look! This can be a simple fix but it’s best to have a certified technician treat this. 

You Smell: A gas station
What It Is: If you’re not sitting next to a gas station, this is an issue. If your car is on the older side (i.e. before 1980) then you could be smelling gas when you turn your vehicle off and have no issue. But, if your vehicle is newer, the smell of gasoline could mean a leak from your fuel injection line or fuel tank vent hose. Either way, it’s best to play this safe and stop in to see our team for a service check-up.