Gasoline Smell

You could be smelling gasoline due to sloppy refueling, or you could be smelling a leak in your vent hose or fuel injection line. Due to the extremely flammable nature of gasoline, make sure you get the smell checked out sooner rather than later.

Burning Rubber Smell

Burning rubber smells can be expected during hard and sudden braking or when spinning out your tires. If, however, you’re noticing this smell regularly, it could mean you have a shifting drive belt, a belt about to break, or a loose hose rubbing against another under-the-hood component. If you’re unsure, it’s best to take your car in to have an inspection performed as these objects can cause major damage.

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Burning Carpet Smell

If you use your brakes heavily while driving or forgot to disengage the hand brake, you may notice a burning carpet odor. If the smell is fleeting, it’s a normal and perfectly okay occurrence. Should the smell linger, it may be a sign that your brake pads and shoes are having an issue. You’ll want to ensure they aren’t sticking, or that they don’t need replacement.

Hot Oil Smell

Less appealing than homemade French fries in the kitchen, smelling hot oil may mean oil is leaking onto the hot exhaust manifold. You could see oil spills on the pavement underneath your car if it’s a leaky crankshaft, or you may notice smoke from the exhaust if it’s a leaky valve cover.

Dirty Gym Sock Smell

It’s an unmistakable smell, and certainly not one you’d want in your vehicle. That quintessential sweaty sock smell is a result of mildew forming in the air conditioner evaporator. Sometimes it’s as easy as running your fan on high with the A/C turned off, other times it requires a full cleaning by a mechanic. Ignoring the smell can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitivities like watery eyes, sneezing, headaches, and difficulty breathing.