I've got a new 2005 SRT-4 with no leaks or problems that I know of. Sometimes when I get into my car and start it up, I get an odd smell coming into the car from the heater vents. It doesn't seem to matter if I have AC or the Heater on and it doesn't really smell like oil or antifreeze, any thoughts?

 

Did you race a Honda lateley? Could have gotten stuck in an air intake.

 

How often do you use the AC or Heater. Could it be dust build up?

 

Describe the smell, then we could give you a better answer.

 

Haha that could be it!

I've only had the car for about 11 months and I run the AC and Heat alot.

Let's see.... You know when you bring your car to the car wash where you put some quarters into the machine and you have a dial to select what you want (Brush, tire cleaner, rinse, wax, etc...). Well I use this type of carwash and usually use the wax for part of the wash, the smell is very similar to that wax smell. Not sure if maybe the wax is somehow gettin into the HVAC and making the smell linger... no idea what's going on, all I know is the smell can be strong at times.

 

That's always possible. As with any new car you need to be wary of the fumes from the various products and chemicals in the plastic ducts and sealants that are released and can for a couple years. They say your supose to run the A/C and heat with the windows cracked to keep the fumes from causing any problems.

Do your run them on recirculation or on fresh air? Running them on fresh air is always the way to go and will make it more prone to smelling things from outside like the wax spray or after you pass a dead skunk.

 

I had a musty smell from the vents and took it back to the dealer and they sprayed a special deorderant in the vent system under the hood. Warranty covered it and seemed to last quite awhile.