here's my little trick to NEVER get that kind of foul odor coming from your AC/vent... before you arrive at destination, turn off AC but let the fan continue to run for about 5 minutes. I have never had any foul smell in any cars that I've owned/driven.
Another tip that worked for me was to turn off the AC a few blocks before I get to my destination but leave the blower running for a few minutes. That way the evaporator dries off a bit and bacteria won't grow.
AC tech here, this is just a band aid solution. Mold will grow back in a few days. Though there are some steps you can try but its not always a guarantee. Try to change the cabin filter first, then try to park the car in the hot or warm area, put the blower on full while turning the off cold or AC, open the windows, that way the water from the evaporator core will evaporate, if the smell still lingers, try disenfectant but as I said, its just a temporary solution. The smell will most likely come back in a few days. The best solution is to clean the evaporator core as slime and mold has already accumulated in there. Car AC systems can get really moldy as it is often very neglected.
Her comment on the sunroof drain just saved me a headache & $. I had not idea there was a drain, I thought my sunroof needed replacement which I imagined would cost more than I was willing to pay
A few years ago I was driving around in my 2015 Toyota Venza and kept wondering about the grassy smell emanating from my air conditioning. Took it to the dealer since it was still under warranty. Come to find out that a rodent had somehow found a pathway up through the engine compartment into the blower motor just above the glove box and built a nest of fresh grass there, after first eating through the cabin air filter. Fortunately there was no rodent…must have gone back for more grass. The blower was cleaned out and the cabin air filter replaced. After I got home I removed the cabin air filter, got some window screen, cut out a template of the filter, placed the screen on top of the filter, slid it back in and buttoned everything up. No more issues, since the rodent couldn’t chew through the screen. So just a thought on a possible culprit and fix if you have an obvious smell grass in your vehicle.
Remove the cabin filter first. Full A/C with recirculating off. Open the doors and let the Lysol spray completely dissipate. Replace with new cabin filter.
Instead of spraying Lysol you can take disinfectant wipes (that we all have a ton of) & lay them out on the grate. The important chemicals will be pulled through the system
I have a 2006 Toyota Corolla. Mice can and do get into cabin air filter. They nested on top of the filter. I had to take hardware cloth and cover the entry points. Just ridiculous it wasn't screened already.
That Lysol disinfectant is toxic, and those toxic fumes don't fade away. You'd be inhaling toxic particles for a long time. This car tip is bad advice, in my opinion.
Just change your cabin air filter, every time I do I spray a little bit of febreeze on it, so you can only smell that, but I advise to use air freshener too that way if you go past dead things you won’t be sucker punched as bad
The strange smell could also be when you're in traffic or a red light, meaning you're breathing car exhaust, to prevent that use the air recirculation button. The AC will be using inside air instead of outside
It’s completely safe if you leave the windows open for about 15 minutes with the AC blasting. And then another hour or so with everything shut off but the windows open. If you take it to the dealership they’re gonna pretty much do the same exact thing
@@200odd300 If you close your windows, seal your doors and turn off all ventilation and spray it in a small room the size of inside your car then yes its not safe. Other health issues associated with Lysol include: Severe skin allergies and irritation, Damage to lung tissue, and Neurological issues.
It is a common issue with Toyota. I've seen a lot of "solutions" that are generally overkill. The biggest thing I've found that solves the issue is to just use it consistently.
Set it to Low setting? I don't remember who, but I thought a car UA-camr mentioned to set it to High. Eh, I'll do a first round on Low, then another round on High.
I tried. This method didn't work, even for 2 full of Lysol sprays. What works for me is turn off AC about 5 minutes before arrive or stop the vehicle. It's more than just moisture, it's also related to temperature. If the evaporator is not cold when the fan stop, there is no moisture and the temperature is not ideal for growing bacteria. I keep do it everytime and no more stink smell.
The news tells real news. Finally
Useless news
@@RumpelFourSkinbut it's still real
I know, I’m shocked.
here's my little trick to NEVER get that kind of foul odor coming from your AC/vent... before you arrive at destination, turn off AC but let the fan continue to run for about 5 minutes. I have never had any foul smell in any cars that I've owned/driven.
I do this religiously but only 9.5 out of 10 people probably don't
pretty sure i learned this from Car Talk forever ago.
thanks
I almost never use my A/C but I still got the smell. The Lysol trick only took a few minutes and I only had to do it once.
HVAC systems in modern cars typically do this themselves when you use the AUTO mode. But it’s not a bad idea to do it manually too sometimes.
Another tip that worked for me was to turn off the AC a few blocks before I get to my destination but leave the blower running for a few minutes. That way the evaporator dries off a bit and bacteria won't grow.
I will try this although I never had issues with my AC
AC tech here, this is just a band aid solution. Mold will grow back in a few days. Though there are some steps you can try but its not always a guarantee.
Try to change the cabin filter first, then try to park the car in the hot or warm area, put the blower on full while turning the off cold or AC, open the windows, that way the water from the evaporator core will evaporate, if the smell still lingers, try disenfectant but as I said, its just a temporary solution. The smell will most likely come back in a few days.
The best solution is to clean the evaporator core as slime and mold has already accumulated in there. Car AC systems can get really moldy as it is often very neglected.
This is such a useful video that I'm struggling to acknowledge it was made by a news organization.
Great tip! I always thought the smell was due to dirty cabin filters which I changed regularly.
THATS WHAT THOSE VENTS ARE FOR?? mine are always covered in leaves and plants 😂
Same here! First thing I’m doing tomorrow!
Change your air filter folks!
Say hello to fords
Cabin filter
@@jamessuper47I don’t have a cabin filter, so I’m just going to replace the air filter on my intake, and hope that’ll help. 😁
@@UmmYeahOk I got an old rusty but trusty... 😅
@@UmmYeahOknothing to do with that 😂
I did the Lysol trick last year and it worked perfectly. I also changed my cabin air filter myself with one I bought on Amazon for $16.
Always!
Now you have endocrine disrupters coming out of your fan. 👍
@@mightytaiger3000 Well there in your water.
Her comment on the sunroof drain just saved me a headache & $. I had not idea there was a drain, I thought my sunroof needed replacement which I imagined would cost more than I was willing to pay
A few years ago I was driving around in my 2015 Toyota Venza and kept wondering about the grassy smell emanating from my air conditioning. Took it to the dealer since it was still under warranty. Come to find out that a rodent had somehow found a pathway up through the engine compartment into the blower motor just above the glove box and built a nest of fresh grass there, after first eating through the cabin air filter. Fortunately there was no rodent…must have gone back for more grass. The blower was cleaned out and the cabin air filter replaced. After I got home I removed the cabin air filter, got some window screen, cut out a template of the filter, placed the screen on top of the filter, slid it back in and buttoned everything up. No more issues, since the rodent couldn’t chew through the screen. So just a thought on a possible culprit and fix if you have an obvious smell grass in your vehicle.
Remove the cabin filter first. Full A/C with recirculating off. Open the doors and let the Lysol spray completely dissipate.
Replace with new cabin filter.
I believe just the fan, not the air conditioner.
You can use a steamer to clean the vents.
The smell in my car was from the dead body I left in the trunk.
Sounds peaceful. Mine is still kicking and yapping
We need more people like you two in this world! Next round is on me!
Glad I’m not the only one
i had the same issue. i thought it was condensation in my evaporator at first too. common mistake.
Why do you store your food in the car?
Finally, real news!
Instead of spraying Lysol you can take disinfectant wipes (that we all have a ton of) & lay them out on the grate. The important chemicals will be pulled through the system
Best comment
Oh.. Better stop blaming my wife then
A steam cleaner works must better without the toxic chemicals found in Lysol. Professional car detailers use steam cleaners, not Lysol.
A few minutes before destination, turn up the heat and put it on vent. Viola. Never had this issue on older cars back in the days
What you mean put it on vent? Do you mean change from circulate to allow fresh air in?
@@beekarinsaan correct, make it hot and blast it for a minute or two to dry it out before turning off the car.
Although on rainy day, I’d just blast the heat without outside air. The goal is to dry it up so the mildew can’t grow.
@@RayRayWasAGoodBoy Thank You sir.
Look for the lost chicken fingers under the seat
Turn the recycle off frequently. The fresh air will help prevent the buildup of moisture and dry out damp that has already collected.
Phew! I thought it was the dead body in my trunk.
This is amazing. I’ve been searching for an answer online for ages and this solved it. Thank you!
Amazing! I didn’t know this. Thank you 😊
I’ve been blaming my daughter
Must be a hoe
Change the cabin filter
Tried that. Didn't help
Finally positive news🥰🥰
Shoooo
A few sprays of that Lysol and my vents smelled much better
Even took the filter out to help the process.
Another problem is many aren’t aware of how to locate, and change the cabin filter. In most cases it’s a pain to get to. 1:29
Vacuuming and shampoo your carpets helps.
Life saving news….I was looking for this for a while
Better then kamala
I have a 2006 Toyota Corolla. Mice can and do get into cabin air filter. They nested on top of the filter. I had to take hardware cloth and cover the entry points. Just ridiculous it wasn't screened already.
Short. Informative, helpful and useful info. Why cant all videos/news be this way?
Check for a dead fish in the back seat like in the movie Grumpy old men
That Lysol disinfectant is toxic, and those toxic fumes don't fade away. You'd be inhaling toxic particles for a long time. This car tip is bad advice, in my opinion.
Everything is toxic.
Why? The very purpose of this video was to make you ingest/inhale something toxic. That's the American culture.
@@NextNate03 farts aren't 😅💩👀✌️😀👍
Just change your cabin air filter, every time I do I spray a little bit of febreeze on it, so you can only smell that, but I advise to use air freshener too that way if you go past dead things you won’t be sucker punched as bad
This news segment was sponsored by Lysol. 😂
Was this sponsored by lysol?
The strange smell could also be when you're in traffic or a red light, meaning you're breathing car exhaust, to prevent that use the air recirculation button. The AC will be using inside air instead of outside
Spray a foam cleaner up the evap drainage hose
If you run over roadkill it get really funky while the A/C is on.
I thought it was my feet.
Gotta remove the old clams from underneath the seat
BREAKING NEWS! Never spray chemicals that are made for open spaces, in enclosed ones like your car.
It’s completely safe if you leave the windows open for about 15 minutes with the AC blasting. And then another hour or so with everything shut off but the windows open. If you take it to the dealership they’re gonna pretty much do the same exact thing
You use lysol inside the house, no? A house is an enclosed space
@@200odd300 If you close your windows, seal your doors and turn off all ventilation and spray it in a small room the size of inside your car then yes its not safe. Other health issues associated with Lysol include: Severe skin allergies and irritation, Damage to lung tissue, and Neurological issues.
This is useful.
If you have to do this, check your cabin air filter and take it out so that the lysol can reach the evaporator.
It is a common issue with Toyota. I've seen a lot of "solutions" that are generally overkill. The biggest thing I've found that solves the issue is to just use it consistently.
Actually, useful information. Is this from 20 years ago or something? 🤔
I don’t which one was worse, her saying defunkify at all or saying it the second time.
I always thought someone farted in my car, but now I know it's bacteria.
Thank u!
Nice Civic Si
Thank you!
I just wanna say don’t go inside your car afterwards of doing this let it air out for couple mins or even hours or you’ll get super light headed lol 😂
Musty isn't a strange smell. It's a very well known smell that usually means something is living in there.
I do this with SCOE 10X . It is a safe probiotic.
Set it to Low setting? I don't remember who, but I thought a car UA-camr mentioned to set it to High.
Eh, I'll do a first round on Low, then another round on High.
Is there a vaccine we can take?
How is this news? This is common sense.
For the first time ever, ive had this issue and with a new car.
I tried. This method didn't work, even for 2 full of Lysol sprays. What works for me is turn off AC about 5 minutes before arrive or stop the vehicle. It's more than just moisture, it's also related to temperature. If the evaporator is not cold when the fan stop, there is no moisture and the temperature is not ideal for growing bacteria. I keep do it everytime and no more stink smell.
Called mildew derp
Wow, helpful info😢
what you can do is when you are close to your destination is turn off your ac and turn on the heat full blast for like 2 minutes
Legionaries also
De-funk-afy LOL
Thank news
If a person pees on someone's car hood this might happen
Do not spray any chemicals into your HVAC unit. That’s a great way to corrode your very expensive evaporator
Well, I've never turned off the air so i wouldn't know.
You should replace your steering wheel every six months it's impossible to clean entirely. Like a loofah.
could be the CH3MTra_ils in the Sky coming in. It smells kinda like cigarette smoke.
could be a mouse too
What is it’s A new car ?? Same thing?
Those little black dots around the windows are usually camouflaging black mold that grows on the inside.
Been doing this since 2019 man im smrt
Yes, when I put gas.
Just let your car sit in the sun for long enough in the summer, and you’ll be golden
Yeah but then you’re breathing in toxic fumes from the Lysol.
Cabin filter
My trucl smell strange even without AC on
How about just change the filter? 😒
How to ruin the plastic, spray that on it ;)
😊
Is it just the fan or the fan and AC?
It’s for the ventilation system, which works for both your heating and AC.
The AC light is on when they press the fan button in the video. So I guess it should be fan and AC.
Doesn't matter if the A/C is ON or OFF. The Airflow is what counts.
The Important thing is to make sure the "Recirc" is OFF, and/or "Fresh" is ON.
@@richard1113A/C doesn't matter.
"Recirc" OFF, "Fresh" ON - to get Air Flow from where you are Spraying through the system.
Possible rodent ate cabin air filter 1:47.
Or you may have a dead rodent in your cabin air filter box.
Stop putting dogs in your cars.
Use an ozone machine !
Lol. So much easy access to those.
Hey, he who smelt it, dealt it...just sayin.
My car always smells like mold. I don't care. My AC still works.
mice
Really?? Is this what qualifies as news???
Democrats
Republican Party tried to overthrow the government on January 6th.
😂what?😂
Fine, Democrats are to blame but the smell of American dominance & might is their fault as well.
My air filter gets changed every year when I service my car.
Check your pants! Haha
🇺🇸😂👍💩
2018 Camry is notorious for this. GF car smells disgusting when she turns the AC on
Change the cabin air filter