When you turn on the car air conditioner, you find that your car has a very unpleasant smell like pee at least once.
Especially on summer days, this odor will make you so uncomfortable that you lose direction and don’t want to be in this tight space anymore.
Why does my car AC smell like pee? Let’s follow us and find out the answer to this question.
Why Does My Car AC Smell Like Pee?
Common causes of pee smell in your car are mold and bacteria clogging the system, cabin air filter gets dirty, or fumes release.
Another rare cause is small animals’ intake into the system, but it can also happen if you don’t get them out regularly.
Mold And Bacteria Clog The System
Why does the ac in my car smell like pee? The smell of pee in car AC is usually caused by mold clogged in the car’s air vents.
Dust, soil, dirt, bacteria, and germs combine with the steam on the AC evaporator to accumulate and become trapped everywhere in the vehicle, especially in the evaporator. Mold meets damp steam that grows and spreads, causing an unpleasant odor when turning on the AC.
In addition, the indoor unit and the ductwork of the AC are moldy, which is also why the air conditioner has a strange smell.
Because after the engine is turned off, the car door is closed, the car might get overheated, and the AC has not yet dried, so moisture accumulates. Over a long period, mold will gradually develop, causing unpleasant odors.
Cabin Air Filter Get Dirty
Why does my AC in my car smell like pee? The principle of operation of the car AC system is that the AC fan will draw air from the outside.
Before entering the system, the air will pass through a filter to retain dust, mold, pollen, and other dirty substances.
As it takes on the role of a dust filter, after only a short time, the filter will be very dirty.
It is one of the reasons why the ventilation system has a bad odor, usually a foul and sometimes burning smell.
When you turn on the car AC, you will detect a pee-like odor caused by the air filter filled with dirt and other harmful pollutants.
Besides, the dust filtration efficiency will no longer be elevated, and the air quality is not guaranteed, making the bad smell stick in your car for a long time.
Small Animals Intake The System
Why does my ac smell like pee in my car? The AC fan box can also bring out a smelly system as the engine compartment has the carcasses of animals such as mice and lizards dead inside.
When the car air conditioner is in operation, it will be contaminated with a disgusting odor.
In addition, the bad smell of the AC can also be rooted from urine or animal feces. Most air conditioners get stinky for this reason.
Fumes Release From Engine Oil Or Coolant Burning
Why does my cars ac smell like pee? Exhaust fumes from engine oil or the combustion of coolant also contribute to odors when you turn on the AC.
Usually, the fumes from these processes will cause a burning smell.
However, if there is a problem with your ventilation system and the engine oil you use is not compatible with your vehicle, a pee-like odor will appear.
Like other details and parts on the car, the ventilation system will all be affected and deteriorate after a period of use due to the impact on the user and the environment.
When the system has a problem or damage, it will make the space in the car stuffy, emit an extremely unpleasant odor and impair your health when breathing in polluted air.
How To Get Pee Smell Out Of Car AC?
Cleaning The Car’s Ventilation System With a Disinfectant
To clean your car’s ventilation system, you first need to unclog the drain line to clear the blockage in the system.
After that, you can separate the drain cord from the AC unit and thread it gently into the hose. Push and twiddle the wire inside the pipe until you completely clear the blockage.
The next step is to open all car windows and clean the air conditioner. You should start your car, switch on the air conditioning, release the vents, set on the blower, and maintain it at the maximum level.
It would be best to switch off the circulation option because the AC needs to pull air from the exterior.
Then, while the automobile and AC are still functioning, cover a disinfectant spray in the ventilation system. After that, leave the car running for 10 minutes to allow the liquid to circulate through the system.
Turn off the air conditioner and the automobile to see whether the moldy, urine, or pee smell has gone away.
If the odor persists, add some additional disinfectant and let the vapors circulate through the ventilation system.
Replace The Filter
Another way to ensure that the pee smell is removed from the car when you turn on the AC is to change the filter.
The ventilation system filter will become worn and less effective over time. Therefore, changing it will help the system operate more efficiently and smoothly.
After locating your old filter, remove it and tidy up the filter tank if any of these pollutants are still present.
Next, take the ventilation cleaner and turn it on. Let the filter tank be vacant for the time being, but replace the lid.
Adjust the AC to the recirculation function and detonate it in the car. The mist will flow through the system, eradicating any mildew and germs and providing you with a fresh scent.
Cleaning Your Car
You can clean the seats, the ground, and any inner parts of the vehicle by sweeping all of the vehicle’s surfaces first. You can use a vacuum cleaner for auto washing.
To eliminate any disagreeable odor thoroughly, you need to get into all corners, crannies, and difficult-to-clean zones.
Sprinkle baking powder over the seats to eliminate any obnoxious odors and spots, then let it settle for 15 minutes on the surface.
In addition, you may use vinegar to clean the car’s interior and focus on mold-infested places. Ensure that you have diluted the vinegar after washing to avoid harsh scents on the vehicle.
After 20 minutes, wash the whole car by using a steam cleaner. It will help you remove any dirt, mildew, or other undesired materials from the car’s body.
How To Prevent Your Car AC From Smelling Like Pee?
Turn Off AC Before Stopping Driving
Turning off the ventilation system before stopping the car engine will save fuel and prevent the indoor unit from condensing with moisture due to the sudden increase in temperature.
It also keeps the temperature inside the car close to the outside ambience, protecting you from getting a thermal shock when you open the door.
Therefore, before the end of the trip 1-2 minutes, turn off the air conditioner and run the blower to dry the air vents. It will avoid the accumulation of moisture that causes mold and mildew.
Invest In Maintenance For The car’s AC System
Regular maintenance and repair of car air conditioners will help this system operate more efficiently and last longer.
Vehicle users need to maintain the car’s AC every year or every 20,000 – 30,000 km.
Specifically, it is necessary to check the car once a year and then carry out regular vehicle maintenance every two years for rarely used cars.
For vehicles frequently used or used for passenger transport business, try to carry out a periodic inspection every six months. The vehicle maintenance cycle is once every 12 months.
FAQs
How Do I Know If My Car AC Has Mold?
If you have just entered the car, turned on the air conditioner, and found a sour smell or a stench, then it is most likely that the piping system of the ventilation has been moldy.
The mold grows because the car door is closed after the engine is turned off, raising the temperature inside the car. It makes the air conditioner not dry enough, and moisture rises.
This condition, left for a long time, will cause unpleasant odors.
Is It Safe To Breathe In Car Air That Smells Like Pee?
The most common effect of the smell of pee in a car is the psychological impact on the car’s occupants.
The narrow space and bad smell in the car will make them feel frustrated and uncomfortable.
Especially in the summer, the irritating smell in the car will make the driver annoyed, even unable to control the driving speed and posing dangers on the road.
Besides, they will feel fatigued and have shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea. Exposure to it for a long time will cause allergic diseases or respiratory failure.
How Long Will Urine Smell Last In Car AC?
Based on the amount of mildew, fungus, or germs that has been allowed to develop within, your air conditioner may begin to smell like pee.
The more excessive water retained inside your ventilation system, the stronger the pee scent. Thus, the time that odor lingers might vary.
Conclusion
Why does my car AC smell like pee? By and large, the cause of your car AC’s pee smell stems from the mold, dirty air filter, fumes released, and small animals stuck in the system.
To remove or prevent this odor, you need to regularly clean your ventilation and the car. In addition, it’s advisable to turn off your AC before stopping driving and give it regular maintenance
Why does my car AC smell like cat pee? We hope you have found the answer. See you soon in the next posts!