Ever smelled something strange while driving? In addition to making you uncomfortable, bad odors in the car can also make you lose concentration.

But what you need to know is that some types of odors in the car are not just a nuisance, but a sign that there is a problematic component.

Let's get to know the types of odors that you shouldn't ignore:

1. Musty Odor

If you turn on the air conditioner and a musty smell appears, it is likely that there is mold growing in the cooling system. This could be due to moist air trapped in the evaporator. Or it could also be due to wet carpets caused by a leak in the car's interior.

2. Sweet Smell

This smell usually comes from a leak in the heating or cooling system. It is often hidden behind the dashboard, so it is quite difficult to detect visually. In addition to the odor, dew or fog may also appear in the cabin.

3. Burnt Odor

If you often brake suddenly or aggressively, it could be that the brake pads or rotors overheat and cause a burning smell. For manual cars, worn clutch plates can also be the source. Sometimes, burnt leaves or foreign objects in the engine can also be the cause.

4. Rotten Egg Smell

This smell often appears after a car has been used for a long distance or under heavy conditions. There is usually a problem in the emission system, especially if the catalytic converter is overheated because the engine is forced to work constantly.

5. Burnt Rubber Smell

If you smell like a burning tire, you may have a slipped or worn fan belt. This condition can also be caused by an overheated clutch plate, similar to the burnt rubber smell described earlier.

6. Smell of Electricity Burning

A strange smell like burnt bread could be a sign of a short circuit in the electrical system. This is serious and could lead to a fire if left unchecked.

7. Strong Gasoline Smell

A slight gasoline smell is normal when the engine is still cold. But if the smell persists when the car is hot, there could be a loose tank cap, a leak in the fuel system, or even a leaking tank. This can be very dangerous as it is prone to sparks.

Always be aware of these scents before starting the car engine. If the odor becomes stronger or recurring, you should immediately take your car to a repair shop for further inspection.

Indonesia

Pernah mencium aroma aneh saat nyetir? Selain bikin nggak nyaman, bau tak sedap di dalam mobil juga bisa bikin konsentrasi buyar. 

Tapi yang perlu kamu tahu, beberapa jenis bau di mobil bukan sekadar gangguan, melainkan pertanda kalau ada komponen yang bermasalah.

Yuk, kenali jenis-jenis bau yang sebaiknya nggak kamu abaikan:

1. Bau Apek

Kalau kamu menyalakan AC lalu muncul bau apek, besar kemungkinan ada jamur yang tumbuh di dalam sistem pendingin. Ini bisa terjadi karena udara lembab yang terperangkap di evaporator. Atau bisa juga karena karpet basah akibat kebocoran di interior mobil.

2. Bau Manis

Aroma ini biasanya berasal dari kebocoran sistem pemanas atau pendingin. Letaknya sering kali tersembunyi di balik dasbor, jadi cukup sulit dideteksi secara visual. Selain bau, bisa juga muncul embun atau kabut di dalam kabin.

3. Bau Gosong

Kalau kamu sering ngerem mendadak atau agresif, bisa jadi bantalan rem atau rotor kepanasan dan menimbulkan bau terbakar. Buat mobil manual, pelat kopling yang aus juga bisa jadi sumbernya. Kadang, daun atau benda asing yang terbakar di mesin juga bisa jadi penyebabnya.

4. Bau Telur Busuk

Aroma ini sering muncul setelah mobil dipakai jarak jauh atau dalam kondisi berat. Biasanya ada masalah di sistem emisi, terutama kalau catalytic converter terlalu panas karena mesin dipaksa kerja terus-menerus.

5. Bau Karet Terbakar

Kalau mencium bau seperti ban terbakar, mungkin ada sabuk kipas yang selip atau aus. Kondisi ini juga bisa disebabkan oleh pelat kopling yang terlalu panas, mirip dengan bau gosong seperti yang sudah dijelaskan sebelumnya.

6. Bau Listrik Terbakar

Aroma aneh seperti roti hangus bisa jadi pertanda adanya korsleting atau arus pendek pada sistem kelistrikan. Ini serius dan bisa memicu kebakaran kalau dibiarkan.

7. Bau Bensin Menyengat

Sedikit bau bensin wajar kalau mesin masih dingin. Tapi kalau bau tetap muncul saat mobil sudah panas, bisa jadi ada tutup tangki yang longgar, kebocoran di sistem bahan bakar, atau bahkan tangki bocor. Ini bisa sangat berbahaya karena rentan terhadap percikan api.

Selalu waspadai aroma-aroma ini sebelum menyalakan mesin mobil. Kalau bau yang muncul makin kuat atau muncul berulang, sebaiknya langsung bawa mobil ke bengkel untuk dicek lebih lanjut.