After not using their car’s A/C system throughout the winter months, drivers can often be left with an unpleasant, smelly surprise once the weather starts warming up. Wynns advises on how to tackle this bad smell.
Most cars have A/C or climate control systems installed which operate independently of the heating system and are used to cool the ambient air temperature, which ventilates into the passenger cabin. Advances in management and electronic control of air conditioning systems have allowed temperatures inside the car to be regulated and maintained between 16 and 32 degrees Celsius. To ensure optimal performance of the systems, they must work continuously. If not, vehicle manufacturers recommend turning the systems on to their coldest setting at least once a week.
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems can present problems during the winter months as when cold and humid conditions exist, condensation builds up on the evaporator and becomes an ideal breeding ground for mould. As mould and mildew grow, bacterial spores form. These can have harmful effects on vehicle occupants which is why it’s important to have a car air purifier.
Why does A/C smell bad?
During summer, drivers start using air conditioning again, bad smells produced by mould and mildew bacteria get vented into the passenger cabin. The result of this is poor air quality and an unpleasant driving experience.
Drivers may also experience a condition known as sick car syndrome which occurs when people inhale bacterial spores released from mould and mildew. This can cause flulike symptoms in people with sensitive respiratory conditions.
Under normal conditions, excess condensation leaves the evaporator and is removed through a drain tube. If the pipe becomes clogged, water accumulates at the bottom of the pipe and stagnates due to the growth of fungus and bacterial mould.
When parking the vehicle after using it with the air conditioning on, it’s a good idea to look underneath and see if there is water. If there isn’t, this would mean that the evaporator drain is clean and that moisture is escaping. If, after a period of driving the water remains this would be a sign that the car requires an inspection and cleaning of the evaporator drain to reduce bad smells and water buildup inside the heater box.
The cabin filter is also an integral part of the system, as it filters the air entering the ventilation system. Over time, if not cleaned, it becomes blocked and reduces airflow to the vehicle, affecting the operation of the system. This generates stale air in the cabin. Having the cabin filter checked or replaced during each maintenance is vital to ensure that the heating and ventilation systems operate efficiently.
Therefore, it is important that air conditioning and climate control systems are used properly. Otherwise, problems may occur that must be addressed with chemical cleaners to remove mould and mildew growth from the evaporator and kill any bacteria that may have health implications.
How to get rid of bad smell?
When there is a bad smell inside the car or when fans are turned on, there are different ways to solve it.
Manual treatment: The evaporator and heater are located behind the dash in the heater box and are difficult to access. Cleaning manually is labour-intensive and involves some expense and difficulty.
Chemical treatment: A chemical treatment applied to the car interior is the most effective way to treat this system and eliminate bad smells.
Some workshops perform decontamination services. These methods require placing a machine inside the vehicle and applying an antibacterial and deodorizing treatment to the internal surfaces and throughout the ventilation system. These treatments can reach the hardest-to-reach areas and remove bacteria, eliminating bad smells and leaving a fresh fragrance inside.
Other methods include using a spray or an air conditioning pump. These activate inside the vehicle and fill the cabin with a fine mist. When choosing these treatments, reassure their effectiveness and make sure they’re approved for eliminating bacteria and fungi. Well-formulated products will provide car protection for up to six months. This will ensure that any odour is suppressed at the source and not just masked as a short-term deodorant. It is recommended to treat the HVAC system every 12 months.
Some technologies also use ozone generated by a machine inside the car. Replacing the oxygen inside the vehicle with ozone kills the spores of bacteria that cause odours and neutralizes them. It is recommended to use a deodorizing treatment after an ozone treatment to leave a fresh fragrance inside the vehicle. When using ozone, the levels are important as high ozone levels can damage the car’s interior and are dangerous to the user.
This method will be successful by fully ventilating the vehicle after treatment. A treatment for the HVAC system typically takes about 30 minutes, including ventilation. It is not intrusive and doesn’t need to disassemble parts to carry it out. Quality treatment will not affect any of the car’s materials including leather, fabrics, plastics or cabin.
