Why does the car air con have a strange smell?

If you turn on the car air con and are greeted with anything other than the fresh smell of icy cool air then there is definitely a problem with your cars air conditioning.

Reasons why you’re car air con is kicking off a strange smelling stink

Mould and bacteria

One of the most common causes of funky air conditioner smells is caused by the growth of mould and mildew in your air vents. This is caused by a growth of bacteria. This is more common in older cars where a bacterium grows in the evaporator.

Solution: use an over the counter antibacterial spray treatment to kill bacteria. With the car and engine off, spray this directly into the vents. Turn the car on and crank the air con full blast to circulate the spray around the vents. Even better, find your air con recirculation vent and generously spray directly into there too when the air con is running.

Dirty filters

If not cleaned regularly your air cons air filters dirt, dust and other pollutants, which can cause a funky stench. You can easily fix this problem by replacing your air conditioner filters with new ones. If you are unsure how, your local mechanic will be able to help you!

Solution: You can easily fix this problem by replacing your air conditioner filters with new ones. Filters are usually located behind the glove box and easily accessible, others may be located under the dash and could be harder to reach. Find yours in your cars owners’ manual and if you’re unsure if you can replace yourself, your local mechanic will be able to help you!

Any funky air con smells shouldn’t be left to fester!
Although likely an easy fix, you should have your air con checked by a professional if the smell continues to linger as it could be a sign of something more sinister going on in your cars cooling system.