What to Do When the Air from Car Air Conditioner Smells Bad?
2 Answers
The best solution is to choose an open, sunny environment, open the car doors, turn on the external circulation to the maximum, or use the heater for 5-6 minutes. The air conditioning filter should generally be replaced once a year, but if the air conditioner is used frequently or the external environment is extremely poor, replacing it every three months is also feasible. It is recommended to go to a professional maintenance company for an air conditioning cleaning. During the cleaning, a special air conditioning cleaner is sprayed at the blower while the air conditioner is turned on.
I couldn't stand the musty smell from the car AC while driving - it made the cabin air unbearable. I figured it was due to lack of cleaning, especially with dust and mold buildup in the AC filter and ducts. For DIY cleaning: first check the cabin air filter (usually behind the glovebox), rinse or replace it. Then use foam cleaner sprayed into the vents, wait 10 minutes for the solution to dissolve dirt before turning on the fan to dry. If the odor persists, the evaporator might be moldy - that requires professional disassembly and cleaning at a shop. For prevention: turn off AC cooling 5 minutes before parking, using just the fan to dry the ducts - this significantly reduces mold growth. Regular maintenance is key too; I inspect my AC system quarterly to avoid health issues.
