[fusion_text]When it comes to recognizing issues with your vehicle, using your senses is a good indicator that something could be wrong. In this article, which is the first in a series of 4, we will talk about how becoming in-tune with your senses (your sense of smell in this article) can help aid in recognizing issues with your vehicle.

When there is a burning smell while preparing your food, it’s generally a good indicator something isn’t right correct? The same rule of thumb applies when it comes to your vehicle. Any abnormal smell generally is an indication something isn’t right.

Here are a few smells and how to recognize what the issue could be:

• Burning Oil: A scent that is somewhat thick, heavy, and sometimes accompanied by smoke coming out from under the hood or the exhaust, is usually an oil leaking or burning issue.
• Antifreeze or coolant leak: A sweet odor that’s usually accompanied by steam from under the hood of the vehicle could be a coolant or Antifreeze leak.
• Electrical Short: A burnt toast, somewhat pungent odor, could be an indicator of an electrical short.
• Emission Failure: Sulfur or rotten egg smell that’s continuous could be a sign of emission failure.
• Overheated Brakes or Clutch: A smell that resembles that of burning rubber could be overheated brakes or an overheated clutch.
• Overheating: Metallic odor that is hot usually accompanied by a sweet odor of antifreeze or coolant could be a symptom of your vehicle overheating.

ALWAYS consult with a professional at the Automotive Service Center of your choosing when it comes to any issues that you smell, especially since it could be an issue bigger than expected. Also, when talking with your automotive professional, make sure to talk about the particular scent being smelled along with any other relevant information to make the diagnostic process easier.

Just remember, smells are important in detecting issues, just like when food is being prepared. If you can smell any of the smells listed above, be sure to have your vehicle looked at by a professional service center.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for Part 2 of Recognizing Vehicle Issues Using Your Senses.[/fusion_text]