Dirty or excessively clogged cabin air filters can produce a dusty musty stench especially when the hvac system is turned on.
Smell dirty cabin air filter.
Simply replace the filter with a new one.
Another symptom of a bad or failing cabin air filter is an unusual odor coming from the vehicle s interior vents.
Unusual odor from the vents.
The smell may become more pronounced when the air is turned on and may make the cabin uncomfortable for the passengers.
As a rule of thumb if the filter looks dirty it is.
Over time the filter becomes clogged with dirt dust and pollen.
Changing your cabin air filter at regular intervals will ensure that.
It s coming from not changing your cabin air filter.
If you need to turn on the blower fan to max in order to determine if there s air coming out of the vents a dirty cabin air filter could be the reason for the decreased airflow.
When you find the cabin air filter remove and inspect it.
Musty odors from the a c evaporator are a common issue in humid climates and may require spraying a biocide or air fresher into the hvac housing to get rid of the smell.
A dirty cabin air filter can become a source of bad odors by trapping moisture and outside contaminants that promote bacterial growth.
An excessively contaminated filter may produce a dusty dirty or musty smell.
The filter is usually composed of a paper element that is folded into pleats and surrounded by a rubberized gasket.
Newer cars have an air filter inside the cabin of the car that removes bad smells from the air that comes into the car.
Home automotive ewwww what s that smell replace your car s cabin filter in minutes.
If your car has a persistent musty or funky smell a dirty cabin air filter may be the culprit.
Ewwww what s that smell replace your car s cabin filter in minutes.
You ll notice an unpleasant smell that doesn t disappear no matter how many times you clean your interior.
Mold and mildew can grow here as well.
The cabin filter does the same job as the air filter under the hood but it s responsible for filtering the air that makes its way into the cabin.
It s hard to enjoy your ride to work or meeting with friends because that unwanted smell just ruins your mood.
No that terrible smell coming from your vents isn t from anything that you just drove by.
Check your cars replaceable cabin air filter.
What happens if your cabin air filter is dirty.
Reference the owner s manual to pinpoint its location.
Is there a solution to this problem.
Removing and replacing a dirty cabin air filter on your car can stop that bad smell.
But the slightly dirty air filter actually does a better job at catching pollen and dirt than a clean one.
The cabin air filter is typically found inside your vehicle s glove box or it may be located under the dashboard or hood.
If it s dirty or clogged then it may be causing the foul smell.
July 1 2013 brittany bailey 221 comments.