What Causes the Unpleasant Smell When Turning on the Car Air Conditioner?
2 Answers
Car air conditioner emits unpleasant smell when turned on due to: 1. For new cars, the reason is: During assembly, adhesives and other chemical agents are used on components like the evaporator, which release odors through the air ducts, polluting the cabin air; 2. For older cars, the reason is: Residual moisture in the air conditioning system pipes combines with dust from the air, leading to mold growth. The car air conditioner adjusts and controls the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow within the car cabin to a comfortable state, providing a pleasant environment for passengers, reducing travel fatigue, creating good working conditions for the driver, and serving as a crucial ventilation device for safe driving.
Oh, I've encountered this issue several times too. The musty smell from the car's air conditioning is mainly caused by the accumulation of mold and bacteria in the system. When the AC is turned on, the evaporator and condenser areas become damp and warm, making it easy for dust and dirt to breed mold. If the filter is aged or clogged with dirt, it can't filter out odors, causing the smell to blow back. Also, water accumulated in the pipes that hasn't evaporated, combined with external dust mixed in from the air intake, can easily cause a foul odor. I noticed during long drives that if I turned off the AC before parking without letting it blow cold air to dry, it would smell the next time I turned it on. It's recommended to clean the filter promptly or use professional disinfectants to treat the AC system, so it doesn't affect your health. Before stopping the AC in winter, it's best to turn on the external circulation and let the air blow for a few minutes—this trick can prevent odors. Regularly check and have the pipes cleaned during car maintenance; it's a small expense but saves a lot of hassle, so you won't be bothered by that weird smell while driving.
