Mould and smoke smells in the air conditioning

If the unpleasant smell only appears when you switch on the air conditioning, the problem is usually inside the ventilation system rather than the cabin itself. Moisture left on the evaporator can encourage mould and bacteria to grow, while an old cabin filter can trap dirt and organic material that eventually starts to smell.

The first step is replacing the cabin air filter, as this is often the source of the problem. With the new filter ready to install, treat both the fresh air intake and the recirculation intake with Pong-Go while running the ventilation system through its various settings. This allows the product to circulate through the ducting, evaporator and heater core where odours commonly develop.

Once complete, install the new cabin filter and repeat the treatment if required. A simple habit that also helps prevent mould is turning the air conditioning compressor off a few minutes before reaching your destination while leaving the fan running. This helps dry the evaporator before the car is parked.