We've all experienced foul smells while being on the road before, such as the stench of a skunk spray or another vehicle leaking gasoline. However, be aware if you notice a stench in your car that doesn't go away. A lasting smell while driving can be a sign that there is a problem with your vehicle.

Some reasons for certain smells are less urgent than others, but there is only one way to be sure of the situation. Whenever you catch an unusual scent in your car, you should bring it to our shop for an inspection as soon as possible.

Here are some of the typical unusual scents and what they can mean:

Gasoline - The smell of gasoline could mean that your vehicle has a gas leak, which could come from two places: the fuel injector line or the fuel tank.

Maple Syrup - If you smell something sweet like syrup, there could be many potential problems. It could be a leak from your radiator, cylinder head, or a failed manifold gasket. If the smell is powerful and coming from inside the car, it could be a problem with the heater core. Either way, it is best to get a mechanic to diagnose the matter.

Burning Carpet - A burnt carpet scent is an indicator of a brake issue. This scent will appear after extensive use of the brakes, meaning that your brake pads are overheated or you left the e-brake on. Our trained technicians can take a look and replace your brakes if needed at Integrity Transmission & Auto Care.

Burning Rubber - A burnt rubber scent could be occurring from a drive belt or loose hose chafing against its pulleys. It can also indicate transmission or engine issues. This should be inspected by a professional as well.

Rotten Eggs - Rotten eggs smell usually involves a catalytic converter problem. The converter may not be correctly processing hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust. This problem can be dangerous for the vehicle's passengers. 

Hot Oil - Smelling burnt oil? First and foremost, check your oil level with a dipstick. If you aren't low on engine oil, it might be an overheating system or oil leakage. However, this problem should be diagnosed by a trained technician. 

If you've noticed a strange smell while driving recently, don't just ignore it. We advise you to bring your vehicle into our shop to be inspected by our trained technicians in Cypress, CA.