When you first bought your car, maybe it had that “new car smell” that is difficult to describe, but etched into many memories as pleasant, but not overwhelming. Now your car smells a little different from time to time.

We are Tommy’s Hi Tech Auto of Denton, Texas and we want to help you figure out what you are smelling in your vehicle, and what it means about your service needs. We will also discuss how to get rid of nasty interior smells in the best way possible.

Tell in a Sniff

Texas is hot, you use your air conditioning quite a bit. Why then does it smell like wet damp socks in a locker room? Your air conditioner stopped draining, leaving behind condensation which produces mildew and mold. There are two solutions: turn off your air conditioner for a while and let it dry out, or bring it to Tommy’s Hi Tech Auto to drain the air conditioner and find a permanent solution.

A rotten egg’s smell is unwelcome anywhere, especially in your enclosed vehicle. A sulfur smell like eggs usually means an issue with your catalytic converter, which changes your vehicle’s emissions into something less harmful. Poor catalytic converters are bad for your nose and the environment. When you notice this smell, Tommy’s Hi Tech Auto has ASE Certified Technicians who are ready to help replace the catalytic converter or figure out where the odor is coming from.

Your vehicle can let off a pleasant, sweet smell. No, those aren’t Christmas cookies. A sweet smell could be an engine coolant leak. The engine coolant leak is vital to keep your engine cool. Check underneath your car for signs of leaks too.

Fixing Interior Odors

Does your car have just a little extra trash inside? Garbage in your car, especially rotten food, can produce an interesting odor especially when left in the sun. Aside from throwing away the culprit items, you can also sprinkle baking soda in your car, then vacuum it out.

A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water can also be quite helpful. Spray everything down with the mixture and wipe it with a lint free cloth. You will be left with lingering vinegar, but that’s probably better than what it replaced.

Your floor mats can stink too. Caked on mud and grime can start to smell. Remove your floor mats and wash them according to the manufacturer’s instruction, which is quite typically to soak them in soap and water, then brush them off.

Why Tommy’s Hi Tech?

Our goal is to keep you moving along with your life, so we provide the best service to make that possible. We offer free loaner cars as well as rides to and from - even with same day service. You can come to us for your oil change and we will see if we notice any smells too.

Call us at 940-514-8734 or visit our shop at 620 Fort Worth Dr, Denton, TX 76201. We also see customers from places like Argyle and Copper Canyon too!