Yuk, what is that smell? Odors are clues to what ails your car

To properly maintain your vehicle, it helps to arm yourself with some basic knowledge about your car’s proper operation and maintenance so that you’ll recognize a potential problem. You’ll also want to employ your senses to gather clues about the problem so you can pass them on to your mechanic.

Seeing a puddle under the engine is a pretty good indicator that something is leaking. Feeling a shimmy in the steering wheel suggests a problem with the steering and/or suspension. A knocking sound when you accelerate will help to identify a possible problem with your engine. Even your sense of smell can help, particularly if you have an idea what different odors mean.

The Federal Trade Commission, in an online article titled, “Taking the Scare Out of Auto Repair,” offers the following information under the heading, “Smells Like Trouble:”

The smell of burned toast - a light, sharp odor - often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. To be safe, try not to drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed.
The smell of rotten eggs - a continuous burning-sulphur smell - usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. Don't delay diagnosis and repair.
A thick acrid odor usually means burning oil. Look for sign of a leak.
The smell of gasoline vapors after a failed start may mean you have flooded the engine. Wait a few minutes before trying again. If the odor persists, chances are there's a leak in the fuel system - a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
Burning resin or an acrid chemical odor may signal overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop. Allow the brakes to cool after repeated hard braking on mountain roads. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. The vehicle should be towed for repair.
A sweet, steamy odor indicates a coolant leak. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauges. If the odor is accompanied by a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood, your engine has overheated. Pull over immediately. Continued driving could cause severe engine damage. The vehicle should be towed for repair.

As with any potential problem you see, hear, feel or smell, these are clues that you may want to bring your vehicle in to a trusted auto-repair shop. Keep in mind, many problems start with a little drip, tap, vibration or odor and then develop into something more – something that could take a big bite out of your wallet, leave you stranded on the side of the road somewhere or, even worse, put you and your family in harm’s way.

Has your car recently developed an unusual odor or have another symptom that has you concerned? Bringing your car in to your trusted auto repair technician will help you get to the bottom of the problem. In the McHenry County area, call Performance Unlimited at (815) 728-0343.

If the hyperlinks in the text above are not working in your version of this document, you can cut and past the following URLs:

· Federal Trade Commission Consumer Protection – http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut13.shtm

· Performance Unlimited – http://www.4performanceunlimited.com

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