Revealed: What’s that smell coming from my car’s air-con?

New research has revealed some of the gross substances that could be contaminating your car every time you use the air con.

From innocent food particles and dead skin cells to potentially poisonous chemicals, a new study commissioned by the International Drivers Association (IDA) has revealed five disgusting things your car’s air conditioning could be spreading.

According to IDA, strange and persistent smells inside a car can often be dismissed as a result of the vehicle’s age, however, while some unpleasant smells can simply be a nuisance, others could be a sign something more sinister is at play.

So what are they?

A potentially lethal one is carbon monoxide, the gas emitted from the exhaust system of a vehicle fitted with an internal combustion engine (ICE).

IDA says if the exhaust system has leaks and the car is in a poorly ventilated area, this gas can enter the cabin and AC system, causing headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even poisoning.

This is another harmful one to be aware of. Refrigerants are the chemicals used inside your vehicle’s AC system to provide cool air and if you have an old or faulty AC system, those chemicals could leak into your cabin.

IDA says it’s a serious hazard if those chemicals are breathed over extended periods, potentially leading to heart problems or nervous system damage in cases of severe exposure.
At the very least, refrigerant leaks are also known to cause skin and eye irritation.

Regular in-car smokers could be turning their vehicle into a ‘passive smoking’ environment, according to the research, with smoke residues and nicotine particles able to recirculate via the AC and accumulate in your air vents.

Did you know one of the reasons your car’s air-con might smell funny, is because it’s full of dead skin and hair? Ew.

Dominic Wyatt from the IDA says pretty much every inhale in a close environment like a car has unseen floating particles of dead skin cells and hair, which can mix to create an unpleasant smell.

This is an obvious yet tragic one because it means you’ll have to put away those road trip snacks if you want pristine air-con.

That’s because food particles and residues – whether it be a few drops of spilled coffee or that McDonalds chip that slips down the side of the seat (why do they always do that!?) – can linger in your car and seep into the AC system.

IDA says although this can create an unpleasant odour, it can also become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Sigh.

A serviceable item you might’ve heard of before is your car’s air filter, a device that cleans outside air before it enters your engine.

But did you know your car has a separate filter to clean the air that enters your car's interior?

Yep, it’s called a cabin filter and it’s found in most vehicles up within the dash, in many cases, accessible through the glove box, which means you can usually change it yourself and save some cash (tip: your vehicle owner’s manual should tell you where it’s located and how to change it).

Some vehicles also come with air ‘purifying’ systems nowadays – Land Rover, Volkswagen, Volvo, and more – which are said to eliminate harmful particles if they do enter the cabin, however, we still don’t recommend eating, drinking, or smoking inside your car, if you can avoid it.

If you’re air-con isn’t working at all, check out this helpful explainer.