Your five senses are integral tools that can help you detect problems with your vehicle before a catastrophic failure occurs. The sense of smell is especially important, as many car repair issues have symptomatic scents that let you know something is wrong. Being aware of what smells to remain mindful of will help you be proactive in diagnosing the following issues, so you can maintain your vehicle and save money on repairs in the long run.

3 Scents That Alert the Necessity of Car Repairs 

1. Burning Carpet

If you catch a whiff of burning rug fibers in your vehicle, then it’s probably time to have your brakes serviced. Your brakes rely on a complex system that involves the brake pad, calipers, and rotors working in conjunction to bring your vehicle to a stop. If your brake pads are worn out beyond their service life, it can cause you to experience excess friction within the braking system. This system malfunction can manifest in a scent that’s often compared to the stench of burning carpet.

2. Syrup

The smell of syrup is usually a pleasurable one—unless it is coming from your vehicle. A sweet, syrupy scent usually means that the car’s coolant is leaking and overheating on your radiator or within other components under the hood. Leaking coolant is a serious issue that can result in an overheated motor, which triggers seizing across other internal engine parts and causes more damage.

3. Burning Rubber

The odor of burning rubber is often precipitated by a slipping drive belt that has been rubbing against the pulley system. These belts are responsible for powering your engine. If you notice that you can’t escape the smell of burning rubber as you drive, it’s important to act as soon as possible, as ignoring this issue for too long can result in major belt damage. After waiting for your engine to cool, check under the hood to determine if your slipping drive belt has experienced any damage.  

Keeping your vehicle in good working condition means taking care of certain car repairs before minor problems are exacerbated. Anderson Automotive East in Cincinnati, OH, has been serving the auto repair needs of customers in the area for more than two decades. If you detect something is wrong with your vehicle, they can quickly diagnose the issue and get you back on the road fast. For more information on all of their services or to learn more about their available car parts, call (513) 474-4200 or visit them online.