What Causes the Odor When the Air Conditioner is First Turned On in a New Car?
3 Answers
New car air conditioners may emit an odor when first turned on because chemical agents like glue are used during the assembly of components such as the evaporator, which can release odors through the air ducts and pollute the cabin air. Solutions: 1. Place bamboo charcoal inside the car; 2. Place apples or lemons; 3. Install a car electronic air freshener. Tips for using the car air conditioner: 1. Avoid setting the heater temperature too high in winter; 2. Frequently use the AUTO button on the air conditioning panel to maintain a relatively stable cabin temperature for comfort; 3. Use the external air circulation mode in clean environments to purify cabin air; 4. Regularly check and replace the pollen filter and clean the air conditioner evaporator box to effectively eliminate odors and bacteria in the air conditioning system; 5. For vehicles with manual air conditioning, it is also necessary to regularly turn on the cooling system in winter to protect its performance.
Recently, my new car emits a strange odor when the AC is turned on, which is quite uncomfortable. I think the main reasons could be the release of odors from the new car's interior plastics and adhesives, or dust and mold buildup in the AC system. When a new car leaves the factory, residues may accumulate in the ducts and evaporator, and the hot and humid summer weather can easily encourage mold and bacterial growth. This kind of odor is not only unpleasant but may also affect respiratory health if inhaled over time, especially if there are children in the family. I tried ventilating the car more by opening the windows and replacing the AC filter, which worked quite well. Remember not to keep the AC on recirculation mode all the time—switch to fresh air mode more often to improve airflow and reduce this issue. Also, after parking, let the AC blow dry air for a few minutes before turning it off to prevent moisture buildup and mold. Overall, new car smell is a common issue, and timely measures can easily resolve it.
As someone who enjoys tinkering with cars, I personally figured out the issue when encountering strange odors from a new car's air conditioning. That peculiar smell is usually caused by mold in the AC evaporator or ducts, and new cars might also emit chemical odors from interior materials. The warm or cold air blown out when the AC is turned on carries these odors, especially noticeable in humid weather. My solution is to regularly replace the AC filter and spray some AC cleaner into the system for a thorough cleaning, which shows immediate results. Remember, AC usage habits are crucial—for instance, don't close the windows immediately upon starting the car; instead, open them for a few minutes to expel accumulated gases. This experience also taught me that the internal environment of a car significantly affects comfort, and timely maintenance can save a lot on repair costs.
