Hi my Plug-n Prius develops a bad smell in spring when the warm weather comes and again in autumn. The local Toyota seevicemen have repeatedly changed the coupe air filter and used some spray in the air vents to help out, but to no avail. The first time they changed the coupe air filter it was very wet and it didn't smell too good, but later filter changes had not shown a wet filter... I have used an Omega spray to kill the "bugs and smell" from the AC system spring and autumn myself, and it does make the car smell good for a qouple of months time. Yesterday I went to a Auto store nearby to get some more AC cleaner. I eas told that tis was no use as there must be some fault with my car and to contact Toyota and tell them to have this sorted out... I talked to the manager today and he says that this is not normal and that he will try to help. Maybe someone here have some experience with the AC system on their cars? I mostly use the electric mode in the warmer spring, summer and autumn months - I usually drive shorter trips but I guess that is quite normal? Many thanks for advice!
I suppose my only question is has anyone muttered the phrase "Rodent Infestation" to you? Did that original "Wet" cabin filter smell like....rodent urine? Kind of hard to think of a scenario where that filter get's very wet, unless it includes rodents being where you do not want them to be. There are some pretty ugly pictures of cabin filters in various states of contamination after being discovered and used by mice. It happens. If you've been unlucky enough to have attracted mice, even if they are now gone, you could have lingering evidence of their existence, in various potentially gruesome forms.
A mildly bad smell in the a/c is somewhat common in most Prii. The system has a problem with mold/mildew developing because of too much condensation or humidity. My personal fix has caused me to never once have a smelly a/c. I simply turn the a/c off but run the fan at a medium to high speed for a minute or two before shutting the car down. This should dry out the unit before it sits and therefore theoretically prevents mold or mildew.
I had this problem too in a 2012 Prius c I used to drive. Once I followed what markabele suggested, to turn off the a/c but leave the fan running for a minute or two, the problem seemed to go away. My mom, who currently drives my 2014 Prius liftback, complained of a similar moldy smell coming from the a/c. I told her to do the same thing, and it also seems to have gone away. While my 2014 Chevy Volt hasn't had that problem, when my brother was driving it for a few months, he mentioned he didn't have to do the turn the a/c off and leave the fan running for a minute thing in it when he used the a/c. But old habits are hard to get rid of, and I still do the same thing any time I use the a/c in my Volt. No smell from there either thankfully.
I go a bit further than @markabele . I ensure whenever using A/C to shut it down a few blocks before shutting off the car. Also, just rarely use A/C, use it more in wet winter, and then just by setting mode to Heat/Defog, which can activate A/C at a subdued level, depending on conditions. It's pretty much inevitable that heavy/constant A/C use will get the system funky. It's likely the evaporator (the A/C radiator inside the dash, the device that cools incoming air) with it's labyrinth of fins that's getting moldy, from regular standing water. Maybe other low points. Once something's growing simple drying out and sprays are likely not going to dispel it. Maybe disassemble and clean?
(warning - lame but patient building humor) Actually the bad AC smell not only falls short as new news . . . . it's not even particular to the new hybrids, or EV's, or alt fuel news thread. Sorry - i've been holding that in for days now Petter, read what Mr Leisk said - & said it best - running non ac / regular vent air is the easiest way to minimize the ongoing issue (ever since gen II pri afaik) As far as my snarky comment above - I'm certain the feeling is similar to many here who've been around PC since the days of Methuselah Methuselah in the Bible - Oldest Man Who Ever Lived But when one considers how frequently the matter gets re-asked - and when one considers how many threads & OP's and members don't use our crappy search tool .... and EVEN when using our crappy search tool that sucks major butt STILL manages to render (just SOME of) the threads below - as examples ; Search Results for Query: smell | PriusChat Funky Mouldy smell from A/C vents | PriusChat Foul Smell When Air Conditioner is Turned ON | PriusChat My whole car stinks (2007) | Page 2 | PriusChat Musty Smell From A/C | PriusChat Rotten Egg or Natural Gas smell coming from A/C | PriusChat Do all Gen 2 cars have a mold problem? | Page 2 | PriusChat 2007 Prius A/C Vent Odor (smells like dirty socks) | Page 2 | PriusChat Mildew under rear passenger carpet | PriusChat Does your AC Smell | PriusChat Musty Smell From A/C | PriusChat Strange smell from heating | PriusChat Outside Air Intake- AC smell | PriusChat Any Priuses without an AC smell? | PriusChat Does bad smell need regassing? | PriusChat I hate the smell of mildew in the morning ... | PriusChat Mildew Smell, part # needed for Toyota product | PriusChat well - it makes one have to wonder . . . . is it me? Is it God teaching me to have more grace & patience? ... or - are we existing here among a whole lot of co-dependent members ? ... or - am I waxing philosophical for no apparent reason? ... or - maybe the MOD's ought to put this thread in the CARE AND MAINTENANCE sub forums ? ..... or - right after this thread, another stinky AC thread will raise its patient building / stinky-ugly head .
