Hello,

my 09 fit has about 10k on the clock, it was used and I've only had it for about 200 miles. I've noticed that when I crank the heat up, there is a smell that comes out from the vents. Its like a old mildew kinda smell and it bugs me. Could this be resolved from changing the air filter under the glove box? thanks in advance! Love the fit forum!

 

moldy smell usually happens when you have the a/c turned on like if you are in defrost mode in winter time (defrost mode turns on the a/c even though the LED does not light up).

it's possible that your evaporator outlet is blocked. have your dealer take a look if you dont know where to look under the car.

 

Replacing the filter might help. A quick fix I've used in the past is to run the A/C and while its running go outside and spray Lysol into the cabin air intake for a while.

Sounds primitive but Lysol will kill any mildew in the ducts and it works.

Good luck.


Flea

 

hahahaha, that's a smart idea. just dont use one with bleach.

 

You can also spray the Lysol (I've used Febreeze as well) into the slot that the filter slides into. This puts it much closer to the heater core box where you're most lilely to have had residual moisture.

Einszett also makes a product specifically for this, called Klima Cleaner, that I'll likely try sometime as well.

1Z Einszett Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Treatment

The directions are to spray in a vent and it will run down and drain out the A/C drain. On the Fit, if you do it this way, make sure and remove the HVAC filter or it will get soaked.