Six Car Warning Signs Your Nose Can Sniff Out

When your aging olfactory sensor smells a peculiar odour, don’t ignore it

By Bill McLauchlan

There’s something very appealing about that “new car smell”, even for those of us with more than a few miles on our nasal clock. Sadly, as our cars age along with us, that heady aroma gradually fades away.

But there are other specific odours that drivers should never ignore, though it can be more difficult for an older driver to pinpoint. Identifying these suspect smells early on can help avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown.

Before we get to them, though, ask yourself how good is your built-in detection system? A keen sense of smell plays an important part in our life, often serving as a first warning signal to the smoke of a fire, spoiled food or the odour of a natural gas leak or other dangerous fumes. According to the US Dept of Health and Human Services, about two percent of North Americans have a problem with their sense of smell, and it’s more common in men than in women. In one study, nearly 25 percent of men aged 60 to 69 had a smell disorder while only 11 percent of women in that range reported similar trouble.

Surprisingly, our smelling ability plateaus at around age eight, and usually begins to decline after we turn 60. This can be accelerated by physical problems such as polyps in the nasal or sinus cavities or the cumulative effect of years of smoking. Though feeble compared to many animals – we have five to 6 million olfactory receptors compared with a rabbit’s 100 million and 200 million in a dog – we still can recognize thousands of different smells, some of which can be critical in the safe operation of our cars.

Unusual smells can be the sign of serious, and potentially costly, trouble for your car or truck. By acting quickly and making necessary repairs, you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing there is no harmful damage to your car, advises the Car Care Council. It recommends a sniff test to identify any odd odours, including the following six warning signs:

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1: The smell of burnt rubber could be slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses in the engine compartment that may be rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Use caution checking, though, when poking around near a hot engine.

2: The smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To verify the leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area.

3: The smell of gasoline is likely the sign of a gas leak in some area of the vehicle such as a fuel injector, fuel line or the fuel tank. Any smell of fuel indicates a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention is necessary.

4: The sweet smell of syrup may be a sign of leaking coolant somewhere in the engine’s cooling system. Here again, caution is advised: don’t undo the radiator cap when it is hot.

5: A smell like burning carpet could be a sign of brake trouble and a safety hazard. Have your brakes checked right away, especially if the smell occurs during normal driving conditions.

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6: An odour of rotten eggs is never a good one and, coming from your car, could mean a problem with the catalytic converter. This smell can also be attributed to a poor running engine, causing the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown.

When you smell any of these nasty aromas you shouldn’t ignore them. Have them checked out and rectified, if necessary, for your own peace of mind. Remember, your nose knows best . . . even if it is getting a bit long in the tooth.