Re: HVAC smells and leaking coolant (archive)

New vehicles are going to exhibit various smells during the break-in period. The sweet smell could have been something from initial clean-up or one of your kids was eating or drinking something - mine do that :) The aluminum smell is probably due to it being new. The coolant level needs to be checked but some here have suggested that it may be an air bubble in the system. Some of the smells on the freeway may have been just that - did you roll down the window to see if you could smell it outside? I would have your dealer checkit out away.
Good luck.

I have had my X5 for 6 weeks and have been very unhappy with the various smells coming from the HVAC system. Initially, there was a strong sweet smell coming especially from the rear, almost like a heavy air freshener. That seems to be subsiding a little, but there is also an aluminum smell coming from the air conditioning. Worst of all, last week a new weird smell started coming from vents when on the freeway and I just today got the "check coolant level" message and it is way too low. I'm afraid of what might be blowing at my kids from those vents. The dealership is not exactly thrilled with a middle aged woman who smells things wrong with her car. Can anyone help me?

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