An important note: If your driveway is at an incline, back your vehicle into your driveway. The condensation builds up and will drain slowly but sometimes pool and contribute to mold/spores. This allows the condensation to drain as much as possible. Our import shop uses a very similar product made by BG Automotive. The foam dissolves any mildew and spores in the evaporator. It works very well in our Southwestern Summer heat.
You read my mind. I was looking for this video from you yesterday. I am trying to prevent smells I knew of the Toyota kit, but wanted to see you do it so I know I’m doing it right
You are the most considerate, kindest person I've never met, I love your show, I love the way you teach, and most of all I love applying your knowledge to my 2010 Scion XB you have saved me thousands of dollars on suspension alone, I learned why my car burned oil from you, now it burns no to a little bit of oil because I change it using great oil and filter often, never longer than 3000 miles, you rock, and may God bless your family
I always heard the best practice was to let the fan only run for a while before shutting off the car. Let some of the moisture dry out on the AC with the fan running.
@@perniciouspete4986 I'm sure that's best but fan only for a few minutes is what I've been doing for years. I figured it gave everything some time to dry out. Good to know the Auto setting works and to turn off recirculate.
@@perniciouspete4986heat may help some, but the evaporator housing where the moisture accumulates is the first thing in the air path, so it's before the heater core.
Also, it is important to check the filter used. The previous filter I used does not have a good seal on the edge, which allows some mildew, dirt, etc. to pass through and cause the bad smell. After switching to a better filter with a better seal on the edge, that smell slowly disappears and hasn't come back.
AMD, Thank you for this video! I have bought this kit for my 4Runner in the past and applied the cleaning foam and deodorant completely in the wrong way - all in one shot. I thought I just wasted my money because I did not get the best results. I will try it again in the future with your instructions and suggestions!
Setting the temperature depending on where you live. I was laughing 🤣 when you stated you temp ranges 😂. In the Southwest 75~78° is cold... But I do understand your suggestions. Great video 👍
Good info, I have a 23 R4 Hybrid. I will always use auto now that I watched this info. I was playing with the recirc button and turning off the AC a few blocks from home
Oh, I have a German (VW Arteon) and a different set of common AC problem coming with it. Most Passat and CC have this issue too. The fresh air intake and filter resides inside the plenum cladding beneath the wiper. Sometimes when the drainage gets clogged with dried leaves, it would flood with stagnating water - this would cause foul smelling air in the HVAC.
Great video, love it as a GS F, RC F driver I can really say that those conditions happen - humid summer garage regime, I do the trick with AC off before coming home and also I do use special cabin filters from Mann or Mahle-Knecht Antibacterial-Active Charcoal :-) Thank you for the summary in your video. I will delegate the 00289-ACRKT kit use to the dealer in case needed, it is complicated for the GS as you said.
I have always run my Toyota’s with AC off on the last 1/2 mile to my house for this exact reason! 30+ years now. Nice to see the explanation and details, thank you!
Absolutely! I do the same thing and I’ll go back and forth from recycle to fresh air. In the city and at lights or if I need it to quickly cool down I’ll put it on recycle but then while I’m driving especially at high speeds I’ll put it often back to fresh air.
Thanks for sharing, best video I've watched. I dont have bad smell on my car when running AC. But there is mouldy smell when turning heat ON. What is causing that issue, is it the same when AC has a mouldy smell? Thanks in advance.
A can of lysol works too in the outside vents between the engine and between windshield same steps air high spray a good amount half can is cool and it will kill the mold
I had this issue with my 2015 Camry and couldn’t for the life of me figure out what was going on. Thank you for helping me figure this out! Now I know what to do in my new Avalon.
Mine defaults to recirculate and I've been spraying Lysol down the intake. I don't mind driving without the A/C if it's a short trip but we get those 100 degree high humidity days in the summer where I live and I always park in the garage so this is good info.
The Car Care Nut, over the years I have found an improved way of cleaning the AC smells. Run the first can to clean the evaporator, and then close the doors and windows run the AC in recirculate, and run an OZONE machine for 30 minutes. This will kill all the mold and remove smells in a healthier way than spraying the 2nd chemical spray. Air out the car for 24 hours to remove that bleachy smell.
Every few months I set my a/c on recirculation mode and spray a can of Lysol Into the air intake of the HVAC system . Seems to kill any mold or bacteria.
New 2023 Camry XSE V6, the Air Conditioner is always blow cool like 65 to 68 degree F. but never ICE COLD. Outdoor Temp on Instrument Cluster says 85 degrees F. , while driving for 30 minutes to 90 minutes it is comfortable inside the Cabin but will not get Cold. Maybe 72 to 75 degrees. When set to LOW temp ... whatever Temp that means, still not Icy Cold. I remember at a time when A/C would make my hands cold, as for my 2023 Camry XSE V6 not cold at all. I should feel kind of Chilly when the A/C is on but I do not. The Dashboard seems to traject Hot Air at me now and them, it is like where did that hot air come from. The dashboard appear warm all the times. Yesterday late after noon, in low 80s, humid, damp, some rain. Windshield FOGS up on the Outside of the Glass, have to use Windshield Wipers to clear, then the condensation reappears, wipers, place the Windshield Defrost on, does not help, Change the temp setting and Fan speed, still get condensation on lower section of windshield. Turn off all Interior Environmental Temp Settings, still Fogs up on the outside of glass.
easiest thing to do is 5minutes before you stop turn off the AC leave it in fresh air with the fan at slowest speed. This gives a chance for things to dry out while not blowing hot air. The fresh air setting at slowest speed fan allows that hot out side to flow and dry out the moisture but not blow so fast that it gets hot inside.
I have a Suzuki Swift (max out option) and I have also the "climate" control. I hate that thing I never like fan full speed and Airco 24/7 on in my car. So I ask the mechanic to disable this. Luckily this was possible and they turned it off for me on the computer. Now 8 years later never have my Airco on or used any of the fan controls. An open window is the best. Yeah, it's not that cool when you standing still but in my country, there is almost zero standing still. And I drive 2 hours every day to get to my job. But hot days or standing still can be a shore. Airco is a no-no. I wish there is an option the remove it without breaking my car's computer or to make it standard in all models.
In Step 2 why not spray directly into cabin filter location... that's where the fan is located that draws air in from the outside. This will permit a higher concentration of chemicals into the internal vents of the car.
I do the turn off the AC for say a mile before I get home - it is a bit of a hit and miss process as I can forget. Maximum AC - I only use it when I have at least the back windows half down when the car has been in the sun, and after a couple blocks I get it off max, turn the fan down and off right cold 3/4 if I can. Now you got me on an error I am making - sinky garbage (poor landlord) that is rotting and they store it in the underground like 20 feet away and I have been going under turning the recirculate on as it is just awful, but I can bare that smell if it is better for the AC.
I always look over my shoulder as I walk away from the car, and I kind of think - if I see the air conditioning water trail - okay that was not done well enough.
Thanks for putting out great car care content. It is very useful for us DIY’ers. Will you be attending the nascar event this weekend? The Chicago street course.
I needed this video as my car suddenly started to smell like cat piss. Went to a Subaru dealership and got the kit for half the money Toyota (or Kia) charges. Me thinks it's made by the same company. Will see if the smell goes away.
This does not match my experience in the southern part of the US where it is very hot and humid. If you only use fresh air while it is 105° outside and super humid, the car will not cool down and water will be pouring out of the evaporator drain. If you use recirculate, after a few minutes, the vent temps drop considerably, and eventually the A/C has dehumidified the interior and removed all of my sweat, so after a few minutes there is very little water dripping (or collecting in the evaporator box). What I have always done is to use recirculate while driving, then turn off the compressor when I am about five minutes away from my destination, keeping the fan on. If it is hot, you will get some condensation forming on the cold vents as the water from the evaporator condenses. Blast the fan until it all dries out. Then, just before shutting off the engine, I switch the air intake to fresh so it can passively vent when the car is parked. My A/C never stinks with this method.
Love you AMD but have to disagree with your advice. I live in the gulf south so it’s hot most of the year so it’s Max A/C all the time. Today it was 97 degrees and fresh air isn’t an option. Also, there isn’t as much condensation when it’s on recirculate since the air is dehumidified. On this mode my 16 Camry drips a little water. On fresh air in the same conditions it will pour out condensation, no drips but a steady stream of water. My advice would be to use recirculate as much as possible so drier dehumidified air is passing through the evaporator instead of the humid outside air.
I wish there was a way to retrofit my 2001 Solara to have a cabin filter! The only solution for this one is to take the housing apart and clean the evaporator, housing, and ducts and all that stuff!
Hello, Thank you for doing such a great and educational videos on Toyota/Lexus cars. It greatly helps all DIYers who really care about their cars. Another common problem, especially with Lexus brand cars is blockage of AC drain exit. Lexus explaines it by "Spyder webb" even though dealers never show the proof to customers who deals with it. It is plain bad design. Multiple reports have been published for 2-4 month brand new cars. For every model starting from about 2013 till now Lexus issues technical buletin describing this problem, even recommends to put pesticide tip on the end of drain tube. Knowing about this and not putting this tip during assembly does not speak well about Toyota valuing their customers. It would be great if you can make a video on preventative measures to avid AC drain blockage. Sincerely, loyal channel subscriber.
I havent watched the whole video yet but i turn off the ac and have the air blow at high-speed the last 2-5 minutes of my drive. Never have any issue in any lf my cars
Thank you for the detail explanations. Love the videos. Any chance to explain what a Certified Preowned Vehicle is? What dealers do to make a vehicle a used to become a CPO before selling to us.
Hey TCCN, I have an '08 4Runner. The air coming out of the 2 vents on the driver's side (Left of steering wheel and right of steering wheel) is noticeably warmer than the air coming out of the vents for the passenger side. Do you know why that would be?
Why do Toyota's have bad smells coming from the air conditioning unit? Makes me think twice about perceived Toyota reliability because my 2012 Nissan Altima that I have owned since new has NEVER had a bad smell coming from the air conditioner.
I never had no problem like that...I always shut my ac off before I start the car the next day .I will just leave it on 68 setting when I turn it off and start it ..And 5 min before I come home il shit fresh air off to dry up moisture..
Thanks for this! My Camry got stinky a few years back, cleaned the evaporator with that spray and changed the cabin filter. Now, I always shut off the AC within a mile or so before arriving home, allowing the fan to help dry out the evaporator box. No more musty odors, "the war department" thinks I'm nuts for doing this.
If you live in a dryer climate, like I do, I just make sure to not let it run on recycled AC the last 15-20 minutes of the drive, and that also seems to work fine. Cheers.
@@chrisbaty3824 I AGREE! I live in Palmdale Ca which is a dry desert. A couple miles from home, turn off A/C leave fan on high with the control on fresh (not recirc) air and one window slightly open. WORKS GREAT!
What foam did you use and where did you spray it. I don't understand this video, where does he spray it, and I don't have a lift😢 I ozonated my Lexus and it didn't help, so I am investigating further....
@@babycakes8434 It is some generic automotive AC cleaner. I removed the cabin filter, turned the AC on (not on recirc so it pulls in outside air) and sprayed the treatment/cleaner into the system through the cabin filter opening while the AC was running.
As always, another great instruction video on how to fix and prevent AC bad smells. I have had this problem on one recent vehicle I had. I would like to know if you can use the Toyota cleaning kit on other makes of vehicles such as Chevrolet, Ford, etc.
I wondered why we’ve never had this problem but then learned me changing the charcoal cabin filter yearly and leaving it on auto 72 is probably why!! Thanks for another educational video!!
You are my freaking hero. My wife’s new Corolla got this. We took it to dealership (Lowe Toyota in Warner Robins) and they said they had never heard of this kind of problem and even tried to blame it on an accident!! that showed up in error on car fax. Literally, they did more work not to work than just addressing it. God I wish you were local.
Yea don’t you just love it when some mechanic say “wow, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard of something like that happening.” Because they know it’s a tedious job that requires attention to detail to resolve it. And they just want to make it go away with a minimal amount of effort.
Lol funny story because acura tried to tell me my engine vibration was caused by an accident because they could tell the door was repainted. It was repainted because of scratches not an accident. They will look for any excuse to not fix things.
Lowe Toyota of Warner Robins is where I buy my parts locally. However, I would not touch their service department with any length pole. They misdiagnosed an ongoing electrical issue I had 3 times within the span of about 5 months. Learned my lesson, found an independent mechanic, and he had my issue fixed in 2 days. They don't use genuine fluids, specifically the ATF-WS fluid. They informed me they use some aftermarket stuff and claimed it worked better. Lastly, when I questioned services that were recommended to me, the service advisor got kind of hostile with me. Ever since finding this channel and several others, I've just started to learn how to do my own maintenance and repairs. Found an honest independent mechanic, and so-far-so good. Any advice I've taken from this channel has only led me to positive results. Stay away from Lowe if you can help it. I guarantee you know more about cars then those service advisors.
@@jollytime0811 I was finally able to switch from the one who would just upsell you on everything you had to fight her every time on everything from filters to brake pads to tires. I just dreaded even talking to her.
@@thedumbguncollector5546 I think I know who you're talking about. I can't remember her name. I think they try to steer you to the advisors that are best at upselling. That's just my guess. However, I would not go there period. I've had good success with C&G Auto on Watson. He does have some bad reviews, but my experience was positive. I've also had good success with Alex the Car Doctor in Atlanta. I know its a drive, but it can be worth it if you go with somebody, have another vehicle, and plan some other things around it. He's got many great reviews and he has a RUclips channel.
I thought I was knowledgeable about automotive AC, but thank you, I DID find this video helpful and I DID learn something new! Namely, the tip on Auto Mode programming preventing this problem, drying out the evaporator in the last minutes of driving, and the available cleaning kit. Very helpful for my new-to-me 2020 Tacoma and my 215k 2007 RAV4. Thank you for another excellent video applicable to all us Toyota/Lexus owners who live between the Arctic and Antarctic Circles! 😅
My late husband would both drink a 6 pack of PBR and gobble down a 6 pack of Taco Bell Burritos and then go for a ride in our Lexus. I don't think the fix you suggest would help get rid of the stench....
Clean out the HVAC and buy and run a small ozone machine in your car when not in use. That does lift out and tie up an amazing amount of odors. It will also dry out your lungs if you breath ozone for extended amount of time.
Your channel is big blessing for me I am a mechanic and I been working for my self for over 20 years and I am learning new things from you all the time. I am also teaching young teenager and I tell them they must watch your videos before they can come to work in my shop. Thanks alot for the hard work for sharing knowledge.
I use to to this every 2 years ( thats as long as it lasts for me). I was tired of spending 70$ CAD everytime to get this done. So I started to pull the cab air filter and spraying Lysol into the blower which ends up on the evaporator. ( done on high speed) with the AC on. It works like a charm and 1/100th of the cost. Also my RAV dosent smell overpowering for a few weeks.
@@JR-nh4fi to some extent, you have to pull the cabin air filter then spray in there or if you don't have one then spray the cowling where the air inlet is ( bottom of the windshield in most cars) - This is done with the blower on, make sure to switch it from cool to heat so you get both sides of the system. I found that the Toyota stuff is very powerful over the no name stuff. So if this is you first time you may need to use the Toyota stuff. but if you ever used the system you will know that your car smells like chemicals for weeks. I would try the Lysol method and if you still smell something try another round of Lysol. If all else fails try the Toyota stuff it's very powerful.
@@JR-nh4fi Yeah thats only needed if you want to spray foam up the drain line, pull out the cabin air filter behind the glove box and pull out the filter then spray Lysol in there.
In my 2012 Altima that I have owned since new I have NEVER had a bad smell coming from the air conditioner. I also par k my car in my garage every night. Sounds like a Toyota problem to me.
great informative video! I have a 2014 GS350 with this same issue but i never knew why. I did research and found to at least sometimes use the fresh air function instead of recirculate, which does help eliminate the mildew smell. I bought my GS used, and i have seen the carfax report which shows the first owner brought the car in for service MULTIPLE times to have the AC checked and cleaned. I bet he sold it because of this issue! his loss is my gain, I bought it with 39k miles, now have 97k nearly trouble free miles on it!
I park my car turn the AC off and let the fan run with the AC off for a few minutes. Especially after a long trip! In my area its usually not that hot so I usually switch to fan only for a few minutes before I get home. This always made sense to me since I'm a residential HVAC guy. Good to know I was doing the right thing!
Running the A/C with fresh air in a humid climate is a horrible idea unless the goal is to condense as much water as possible in the evaporator coil and hope the condensate runoff provides a flushing action. I agree 100% with his suggestion to turn the A/C off 5 (or more) minutes from home and keep the air circulating. That's really the only way to dry an evaporator coil.
It seems that the factory fix should be to add programming to the HVAC module to run the cabin blower for a few minutes after shutting off the vehicle. It wouldn't have to be at the highest setting, just simply time out after a preset time. Just my opinion.
Everything that you shared is definitely sound, and makes sense except for one major item. We can agree to disagree that in Florida the summers are so humid. I’ve always used recirculate and only recirculate. Otherwise you’re bringing in the humidity inside the vehicle and you’re not getting maximum cooling and dehumidification. The one thing I do when I cut the car off is I make sure that the AC is reset back to fresh air so that you’ve got some flow through ventilation to help dry up the evaporator and reduce any smells.
I was doing this yesterday, but didn’t think about pulling the cabin filter first. I wish your video came out 24 hours earlier ! I also thought that it was good to cycle through all vents , including windshield defroster. Now I have little oily spots inside my windshield. Thank you AM , you always have good advice and information. Keep those videos coming.
Good prevention comment! With both of my Prius, a 2003 and a 2009, I would smell the sour, vinegar smell coming out of AC vents, usually a few weeks into hot weather. So, I got in the habit of always running the fan only for about 3 minutes to dry the evaporator, as I approached home. Never had any smell 👃since. Oddly, with my Subaru or Nissan autos did I have any issues of odors.
As CCN says: after using A/C, go: A/C off, fan full on (coolest temp) until the incoming air is ambient and dry feeling, turn fan down gradually. I rarely use recirculation mode for A/C. I've never had an issue.
Great video, thanks. Do you think if I make sure it’s on fresh air when I shut the car off, that having the damper in that position will allow moisture to evaporate over the hours the car sits there? What I am guessing is that if you shut the car off with it on recirculate, the evaporator core is sealed off from outside, so all moisture stays locked in there. In rec mode Some moisture could evaporate to the interior of the car, but that’s not great for the interior.
Good morning AMD. I have a wet water puddle underneath my 2010 toyota corolla under the front passenger tire. Is it normal ac condenser water leak? Should i do something? I need to put max AC to get normal cooling.
I have a similar problem with heating, don't get hot air blowing out the vents just cold until I turn the temperature up above 28C or upto Max then it gets hot but too hot. I wonder if anyone might know why this is. It's a 2013 Toyota Auris/Corolla 1.4D .
That sounds normal, as I see that in my current 2007 Malibu LS and the 2009 Tacoma (after installing the AC drain extension mod, before that it drained on the frame and appeared behind the passenger door). If cooling is being lost, it happens over time as the refrigerant also serves to lubricate the compressor and seals, so it does leak off over time. The best process is to extract the remaining refrigerant, which also removes water that is not good for the compressor, and refill with the full quantity of refrigerant specified on the vehicle sticker (or service manual).
Dear Ahmed, as a Toyota fanatic I just love your channel and content. I thought I was the only nutter out there, turns out I’m not. 😊 Appreciate your attention to detail and you taking care of the cars and the clients. Greetings from a fellow ocd. My rides are a 2019 Land Cruiser Prado and a 2023 Prius IV (not the Plug-In).
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I change my car's cabin and engine air filters every year on my birthday.
Yearly gift for my car and me.
An important note: If your driveway is at an incline, back your vehicle into your driveway. The condensation builds up and will drain slowly but sometimes pool and contribute to mold/spores. This allows the condensation to drain as much as possible.
Our import shop uses a very similar product made by BG Automotive. The foam dissolves any mildew and spores in the evaporator. It works very well in our Southwestern Summer heat.
BG seems to make good products
You always have very very informative videos brother wish we had a mechanic like you in south carolina. God bless you very very much
You read my mind. I was looking for this video from you yesterday. I am trying to prevent smells I knew of the Toyota kit, but wanted to see you do it so I know I’m doing it right
Yes u can use ac cleaner kits on other brands
You are the most considerate, kindest person I've never met, I love your show, I love the way you teach, and most of all I love applying your knowledge to my 2010 Scion XB you have saved me thousands of dollars on suspension alone, I learned why my car burned oil from you, now it burns no to a little bit of oil because I change it using great oil and filter often, never longer than 3000 miles, you rock, and may God bless your family
I always heard the best practice was to let the fan only run for a while before shutting off the car. Let some of the moisture dry out on the AC with the fan running.
It was suggested to me to turn on the heat for a few minutes before you get home to dry out the air passages, but that's brutal in the summer.
@@perniciouspete4986 I'm sure that's best but fan only for a few minutes is what I've been doing for years. I figured it gave everything some time to dry out. Good to know the Auto setting works and to turn off recirculate.
It’s what I do
@@perniciouspete4986heat may help some, but the evaporator housing where the moisture accumulates is the first thing in the air path, so it's before the heater core.
I’ve used this product on two different cars. It truly works! I’ve tried other off the shelf products, none of them work as good as this kit.
You inspire me to become an automotive technician and become a Lexus/Toyota tech I just finished school
Also, it is important to check the filter used. The previous filter I used does not have a good seal on the edge, which allows some mildew, dirt, etc. to pass through and cause the bad smell. After switching to a better filter with a better seal on the edge, that smell slowly disappears and hasn't come back.
AMD, Thank you for this video! I have bought this kit for my 4Runner in the past and applied the cleaning foam and deodorant completely in the wrong way - all in one shot. I thought I just wasted my money because I did not get the best results. I will try it again in the future with your instructions and suggestions!
AMD you are the Toyota guru! Thanks for all you do to educate and inform.
True That!
Setting the temperature depending on where you live. I was laughing 🤣 when you stated you temp ranges 😂. In the Southwest 75~78° is cold... But I do understand your suggestions. Great video 👍
Great video, as always! Thanks, this was very helpful.
Good info, I have a 23 R4 Hybrid. I will always use auto now that I watched this info. I was playing with the recirc button and turning off the AC a few blocks from home
Oh, I have a German (VW Arteon) and a different set of common AC problem coming with it. Most Passat and CC have this issue too. The fresh air intake and filter resides inside the plenum cladding beneath the wiper. Sometimes when the drainage gets clogged with dried leaves, it would flood with stagnating water - this would cause foul smelling air in the HVAC.
Great video, love it as a GS F, RC F driver I can really say that those conditions happen - humid summer garage regime, I do the trick with AC off before coming home and also I do use special cabin filters from Mann or Mahle-Knecht Antibacterial-Active Charcoal :-) Thank you for the summary in your video. I will delegate the 00289-ACRKT kit use to the dealer in case needed, it is complicated for the GS as you said.
I have always run my Toyota’s with AC off on the last 1/2 mile to my house for this exact reason! 30+ years now. Nice to see the explanation and details, thank you!
Absolutely! I do the same thing and I’ll go back and forth from recycle to fresh air. In the city and at lights or if I need it to quickly cool down I’ll put it on recycle but then while I’m driving especially at high speeds I’ll put it often back to fresh air.
Thanks for sharing, best video I've watched. I dont have bad smell on my car when running AC. But there is mouldy smell when turning heat ON. What is causing that issue, is it the same when AC has a mouldy smell? Thanks in advance.
Did you ever figure out the issue?
Well done AMD! I notice the box for the OEM carbon filter doesn't say "Filter" instead says "Air Refiner"
A can of lysol works too in the outside vents between the engine and between windshield same steps air high spray a good amount half can is cool and it will kill the mold
I always turn off my ac and put on vent 1/2 mile from my house. Haven't had any issues with smells. Plus it's 115° outside helps
I had this issue with my 2015 Camry and couldn’t for the life of me figure out what was going on. Thank you for helping me figure this out! Now I know what to do in my new Avalon.
Mine defaults to recirculate and I've been spraying Lysol down the intake. I don't mind driving without the A/C if it's a short trip but we get those 100 degree high humidity days in the summer where I live and I always park in the garage so this is good info.
68-72-74 have been the only numbers displayed in my console screen for 20 years!
The Car Care Nut, over the years I have found an improved way of cleaning the AC smells. Run the first can to clean the evaporator, and then close the doors and windows run the AC in recirculate, and run an OZONE machine for 30 minutes. This will kill all the mold and remove smells in a healthier way than spraying the 2nd chemical spray. Air out the car for 24 hours to remove that bleachy smell.
For Tundra owners forget spraying into the drain. Drop the heater fan and stick the hose through the duct to the evaporator. Then spray the foam.
Every few months I set my a/c on recirculation mode and spray a can of Lysol Into the air intake of the HVAC system . Seems to kill any mold or bacteria.
New 2023 Camry XSE V6, the Air Conditioner is always blow cool like 65 to 68 degree F. but never ICE COLD. Outdoor Temp on Instrument Cluster says 85 degrees F. , while driving for 30 minutes to 90 minutes it is comfortable inside the Cabin but will not get Cold. Maybe 72 to 75 degrees. When set to LOW temp ... whatever Temp that means, still not Icy Cold. I remember at a time when A/C would make my hands cold, as for my 2023 Camry XSE V6 not cold at all. I should feel kind of Chilly when the A/C is on but I do not. The Dashboard seems to traject Hot Air at me now and them, it is like where did that hot air come from. The dashboard appear warm all the times. Yesterday late after noon, in low 80s, humid, damp, some rain. Windshield FOGS up on the Outside of the Glass, have to use Windshield Wipers to clear, then the condensation reappears, wipers, place the Windshield Defrost on, does not help, Change the temp setting and Fan speed, still get condensation on lower section of windshield. Turn off all Interior Environmental Temp Settings, still Fogs up on the outside of glass.
easiest thing to do is 5minutes before you stop turn off the AC leave it in fresh air with the fan at slowest speed. This gives a chance for things to dry out while not blowing hot air. The fresh air setting at slowest speed fan allows that hot out side to flow and dry out the moisture but not blow so fast that it gets hot inside.
May the Lord bless and keep you too
I have a Suzuki Swift (max out option) and I have also the "climate" control. I hate that thing I never like fan full speed and Airco 24/7 on in my car. So I ask the mechanic to disable this. Luckily this was possible and they turned it off for me on the computer. Now 8 years later never have my Airco on or used any of the fan controls. An open window is the best. Yeah, it's not that cool when you standing still but in my country, there is almost zero standing still. And I drive 2 hours every day to get to my job. But hot days or standing still can be a shore. Airco is a no-no. I wish there is an option the remove it without breaking my car's computer or to make it standard in all models.
In Step 2 why not spray directly into cabin filter location... that's where the fan is located that draws air in from the outside. This will permit a higher concentration of chemicals into the internal vents of the car.
What a wonderful explanation. Thanks so much.
I never have any of this thing on my suzuki aerio 2006 since new
Thank you AMD this video was sorely needed.
I do the turn off the AC for say a mile before I get home - it is a bit of a hit and miss process as I can forget. Maximum AC - I only use it when I have at least the back windows half down when the car has been in the sun, and after a couple blocks I get it off max, turn the fan down and off right cold 3/4 if I can. Now you got me on an error I am making - sinky garbage (poor landlord) that is rotting and they store it in the underground like 20 feet away and I have been going under turning the recirculate on as it is just awful, but I can bare that smell if it is better for the AC.
I always look over my shoulder as I walk away from the car, and I kind of think - if I see the air conditioning water trail - okay that was not done well enough.
Thank you for the detailed explanation. You are the best!
Great info!! Can you provide a video on a vehicle like a 2001 Toyota Sienna that doesn’t have a Cabin Filter and the process to eliminate the smell?
Thanks for putting out great car care content. It is very useful for us DIY’ers. Will you be attending the nascar event this weekend? The Chicago street course.
I needed this video as my car suddenly started to smell like cat piss. Went to a Subaru dealership and got the kit for half the money Toyota (or Kia) charges. Me thinks it's made by the same company. Will see if the smell goes away.
Get rid of the damn cat ! ! ! !
This does not match my experience in the southern part of the US where it is very hot and humid. If you only use fresh air while it is 105° outside and super humid, the car will not cool down and water will be pouring out of the evaporator drain. If you use recirculate, after a few minutes, the vent temps drop considerably, and eventually the A/C has dehumidified the interior and removed all of my sweat, so after a few minutes there is very little water dripping (or collecting in the evaporator box).
What I have always done is to use recirculate while driving, then turn off the compressor when I am about five minutes away from my destination, keeping the fan on. If it is hot, you will get some condensation forming on the cold vents as the water from the evaporator condenses. Blast the fan until it all dries out. Then, just before shutting off the engine, I switch the air intake to fresh so it can passively vent when the car is parked. My A/C never stinks with this method.
Love you AMD but have to disagree with your advice. I live in the gulf south so it’s hot most of the year so it’s Max A/C all the time. Today it was 97 degrees and fresh air isn’t an option. Also, there isn’t as much condensation when it’s on recirculate since the air is dehumidified. On this mode my 16 Camry drips a little water. On fresh air in the same conditions it will pour out condensation, no drips but a steady stream of water. My advice would be to use recirculate as much as possible so drier dehumidified air is passing through the evaporator instead of the humid outside air.
I wish there was a way to retrofit my 2001 Solara to have a cabin filter! The only solution for this one is to take the housing apart and clean the evaporator, housing, and ducts and all that stuff!
Hello,
Thank you for doing such a great and educational videos on Toyota/Lexus cars. It greatly helps all DIYers who really care about their cars. Another common problem, especially with Lexus brand cars is blockage of AC drain exit. Lexus explaines it by "Spyder webb" even though dealers never show the proof to customers who deals with it. It is plain bad design. Multiple reports have been published for 2-4 month brand new cars. For every model starting from about 2013 till now Lexus issues technical buletin describing this problem, even recommends to put pesticide tip on the end of drain tube. Knowing about this and not putting this tip during assembly does not speak well about Toyota valuing their customers. It would be great if you can make a video on preventative measures to avid AC drain blockage. Sincerely, loyal channel subscriber.
Bro can you make a review on 2020 Lexus lx570
I havent watched the whole video yet but i turn off the ac and have the air blow at high-speed the last 2-5 minutes of my drive. Never have any issue in any lf my cars
I guess you not having worked on a T24A is a good sign so far?
I am not sure if in the US you have the option to use ozon to disinfect the car, would that help as well?
What do you do if it’s above the transmission?!?!?
This kit works magie
Thank you for the detail explanations. Love the videos. Any chance to explain what a Certified Preowned Vehicle is? What dealers do to make a vehicle a used to become a CPO before selling to us.
He actually has a really good, very detailed, video already which explains exactly that.
My 07 crewmax limited tundra puts itself into recirculate when turned off. When you turn it back on the ac/heat is always on recirc
Thanks!
😲
Question: Do Lexus models truly have the a/c cooling the seats? Or are the seats cooled with fans? Thanks for the answer!
The seats are cool using fans
What about a glue smell, something like Elmer's glue?
Thank you ! Very helpful
Is this foam safe for the evaporator? Non corrosive?
The Care Care Nut...is there anything that needs to be added in your steps if I have a Highlander which has rear air?
What about the Lexus GX 460’s are there two drains that need be cleaned?
More useful information. Thank you
If there's no bad smell, do i need to do this?
Nice video
Woooooooooow love this one!
Will this work for a 2021 RAV4 Hybrid A/C system? When I search the part number, it says that it is not compatible with the car.
Yes
Can you do this without lifting your car up?
My 16 year old Camrys A/C smelled nasty!!!! For 10+ years!!
Have you changed your undies?!?!?!
No 😮🤔🤫🫢 was I supposed to???
Thank you, will that kit work for the VW cars?
Hey TCCN, I have an '08 4Runner. The air coming out of the 2 vents on the driver's side (Left of steering wheel and right of steering wheel) is noticeably warmer than the air coming out of the vents for the passenger side. Do you know why that would be?
My 2000 camry has a fixed in lifetime cabin filter 🥲
Why do Toyota's have bad smells coming from the air conditioning unit? Makes me think twice about perceived Toyota reliability because my 2012 Nissan Altima that I have owned since new has NEVER had a bad smell coming from the air conditioner.
Awesome, 🤍✨️🙏🕊🌎🚗
I never had no problem like that...I always shut my ac off before I start the car the next day .I will just leave it on 68 setting when I turn it off and start it ..And 5 min before I come home il shit fresh air off to dry up moisture..
Thanks for this! My Camry got stinky a few years back, cleaned the evaporator with that spray and changed the cabin filter. Now, I always shut off the AC within a mile or so before arriving home, allowing the fan to help dry out the evaporator box. No more musty odors, "the war department" thinks I'm nuts for doing this.
If you live in a dryer climate, like I do, I just make sure to not let it run on recycled AC the last 15-20 minutes of the drive, and that also seems to work fine. Cheers.
@@chrisbaty3824 I AGREE!
I live in Palmdale Ca which is a dry desert. A couple miles from home, turn off A/C leave fan on high with the control on fresh (not recirc) air and one window slightly open.
WORKS GREAT!
What foam did you use and where did you spray it. I don't understand this video, where does he spray it, and I don't have a lift😢
I ozonated my Lexus and it didn't help, so I am investigating further....
@@babycakes8434 It is some generic automotive AC cleaner. I removed the cabin filter, turned the AC on (not on recirc so it pulls in outside air) and sprayed the treatment/cleaner into the system through the cabin filter opening while the AC was running.
As always, another great instruction video on how to fix and prevent AC bad smells. I have had this problem on one recent vehicle I had. I would like to know if you can use the Toyota cleaning kit on other makes of vehicles such as Chevrolet, Ford, etc.
Yes u can use them on any brand,
why it happens is natural plus not changing filters which causes moulding etc etc
@@hiteshadhikari Thanks for the helpful info!
I wondered why we’ve never had this problem but then learned me changing the charcoal cabin filter yearly and leaving it on auto 72 is probably why!! Thanks for another educational video!!
I am a professional car electrician, I love your jobs
Much Respect brother
Man are you located near the state of Delaware?
Man are you located near the state of Delaware?
@@davidrivas1174He’s in the Chicago area.
You are my freaking hero. My wife’s new Corolla got this. We took it to dealership (Lowe Toyota in Warner Robins) and they said they had never heard of this kind of problem and even tried to blame it on an accident!! that showed up in error on car fax. Literally, they did more work not to work than just addressing it. God I wish you were local.
Yea don’t you just love it when some mechanic say “wow, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard of something like that happening.” Because they know it’s a tedious job that requires attention to detail to resolve it. And they just want to make it go away with a minimal amount of effort.
Lol funny story because acura tried to tell me my engine vibration was caused by an accident because they could tell the door was repainted. It was repainted because of scratches not an accident. They will look for any excuse to not fix things.
Lowe Toyota of Warner Robins is where I buy my parts locally. However, I would not touch their service department with any length pole. They misdiagnosed an ongoing electrical issue I had 3 times within the span of about 5 months. Learned my lesson, found an independent mechanic, and he had my issue fixed in 2 days. They don't use genuine fluids, specifically the ATF-WS fluid. They informed me they use some aftermarket stuff and claimed it worked better. Lastly, when I questioned services that were recommended to me, the service advisor got kind of hostile with me. Ever since finding this channel and several others, I've just started to learn how to do my own maintenance and repairs. Found an honest independent mechanic, and so-far-so good. Any advice I've taken from this channel has only led me to positive results. Stay away from Lowe if you can help it. I guarantee you know more about cars then those service advisors.
@@jollytime0811 I was finally able to switch from the one who would just upsell you on everything you had to fight her every time on everything from filters to brake pads to tires. I just dreaded even talking to her.
@@thedumbguncollector5546 I think I know who you're talking about. I can't remember her name. I think they try to steer you to the advisors that are best at upselling. That's just my guess. However, I would not go there period. I've had good success with C&G Auto on Watson. He does have some bad reviews, but my experience was positive. I've also had good success with Alex the Car Doctor in Atlanta. I know its a drive, but it can be worth it if you go with somebody, have another vehicle, and plan some other things around it. He's got many great reviews and he has a RUclips channel.
I thought I was knowledgeable about automotive AC, but thank you, I DID find this video helpful and I DID learn something new! Namely, the tip on Auto Mode programming preventing this problem, drying out the evaporator in the last minutes of driving, and the available cleaning kit. Very helpful for my new-to-me 2020 Tacoma and my 215k 2007 RAV4. Thank you for another excellent video applicable to all us Toyota/Lexus owners who live between the Arctic and Antarctic Circles! 😅
Nice tip on not using the re circulate, I live in south Alabama and the heat and humidity can be brutal sometimes.
My late husband would both drink a 6 pack of PBR and gobble down a 6 pack of Taco Bell Burritos and then go for a ride in our Lexus. I don't think the fix you suggest would help get rid of the stench....
@zonian1966 A good cigar hides a lot of odors.
Clean out the HVAC and buy and run a small ozone machine in your car when not in use. That does lift out and tie up an amazing amount of odors. It will also dry out your lungs if you breath ozone for extended amount of time.
Your channel is big blessing for me I am a mechanic and I been working for my self for over 20 years and I am learning new things from you all the time. I am also teaching young teenager and I tell them they must watch your videos before they can come to work in my shop. Thanks alot for the hard work for sharing knowledge.
Every 10K - 15K is about how often I change both the engine air filter and cabin air filter, so about every 2nd or 3rd oil change.
I use to to this every 2 years ( thats as long as it lasts for me). I was tired of spending 70$ CAD everytime to get this done. So I started to pull the cab air filter and spraying Lysol into the blower which ends up on the evaporator. ( done on high speed) with the AC on. It works like a charm and 1/100th of the cost. Also my RAV dosent smell overpowering for a few weeks.
Can you do this on all vehicles ? I want to clear out bad smells
@@JR-nh4fi to some extent, you have to pull the cabin air filter then spray in there or if you don't have one then spray the cowling where the air inlet is ( bottom of the windshield in most cars) - This is done with the blower on, make sure to switch it from cool to heat so you get both sides of the system. I found that the Toyota stuff is very powerful over the no name stuff. So if this is you first time you may need to use the Toyota stuff. but if you ever used the system you will know that your car smells like chemicals for weeks. I would try the Lysol method and if you still smell something try another round of Lysol. If all else fails try the Toyota stuff it's very powerful.
@@supermrt I tried to find the ac drain on my 2007 lexus is350 no luck to be able to reach it.
@@JR-nh4fi Yeah thats only needed if you want to spray foam up the drain line, pull out the cabin air filter behind the glove box and pull out the filter then spray Lysol in there.
Very good presentation on how and why the A/C smells and how to correct the problem 😊 nicely done ✅
This video is super useful because I have had three Toyotas and bad smell problems in all three.
In my 2012 Altima that I have owned since new I have NEVER had a bad smell coming from the air conditioner. I also par k my car in my garage every night. Sounds like a Toyota problem to me.
@@josephkelleher8820 That’s exactly what he mentioned: ruclips.net/video/xb0fDfzV41I/видео.html
great informative video! I have a 2014 GS350 with this same issue but i never knew why. I did research and found to at least sometimes use the fresh air function instead of recirculate, which does help eliminate the mildew smell. I bought my GS used, and i have seen the carfax report which shows the first owner brought the car in for service MULTIPLE times to have the AC checked and cleaned. I bet he sold it because of this issue! his loss is my gain, I bought it with 39k miles, now have 97k nearly trouble free miles on it!
I park my car turn the AC off and let the fan run with the AC off for a few minutes. Especially after a long trip! In my area its usually not that hot so I usually switch to fan only for a few minutes before I get home. This always made sense to me since I'm a residential HVAC guy. Good to know I was doing the right thing!
Running the A/C with fresh air in a humid climate is a horrible idea unless the goal is to condense as much water as possible in the evaporator coil and hope the condensate runoff provides a flushing action. I agree 100% with his suggestion to turn the A/C off 5 (or more) minutes from home and keep the air circulating. That's really the only way to dry an evaporator coil.
That’s a really good point!
Running A/C on recirculate all the time is a terrible idea.
@elonmusk should program this into Teslas.
@@TidewaterC Depending on the climate but in the warmer places it should always be on after the car is relatively cool.
@@TidewaterC *Might work OK in the Tidewater area (Chesapeake, VA) but come to Florida and see how that works for you. Cheers!*
It seems that the factory fix should be to add programming to the HVAC module to run the cabin blower for a few minutes after shutting off the vehicle. It wouldn't have to be at the highest setting, just simply time out after a preset time. Just my opinion.
German cars have this but then it drains the battery in the long run
Everything that you shared is definitely sound, and makes sense except for one major item. We can agree to disagree that in Florida the summers are so humid. I’ve always used recirculate and only recirculate. Otherwise you’re bringing in the humidity inside the vehicle and you’re not getting maximum cooling and dehumidification. The one thing I do when I cut the car off is I make sure that the AC is reset back to fresh air so that you’ve got some flow through ventilation to help dry up the evaporator and reduce any smells.
You're correct. If the car keeps recirculating and dehumidifying the same air, the evaporator stays dry.
I was doing this yesterday, but didn’t think about pulling the cabin filter first. I wish your video came out 24 hours earlier ! I also thought that it was good to cycle through all vents , including windshield defroster. Now I have little oily spots inside my windshield. Thank you AM , you always have good advice and information. Keep those videos coming.
Cool Tips and Tutorials!
Thank you.
God bless you.
#JesusisLord
Trust Him
with your fears
and future
Shalom
Good prevention comment! With both of my Prius, a 2003 and a 2009, I would smell the sour, vinegar smell coming out of AC vents, usually a few weeks into hot weather. So, I got in the habit of always running the fan only for about 3 minutes to dry the evaporator, as I approached home. Never had any smell 👃since. Oddly, with my Subaru or Nissan autos did I have any issues of odors.
MY 2011 AVALON LIMITED LOVES YOUR CHANNEL ❤❤
Official video by Toyota on this procedure.
ruclips.net/video/eRy23TFpM4I/видео.html
My 2016 tundra has the drain plug on top of the transmission. How will I do it?
Long live and prosperous. You have touched many lives.
I spray lysol in my intake cowl. Then run ac on high with windows down to air it out for a couple of minutes works every time.
Yeah, I did that to my car, and the ventilation baffles got stuck. All the AC came out the floor vent.
Pull the cab air filter and spray into the blower - it works way better.
As CCN says: after using A/C, go: A/C off, fan full on (coolest temp) until the incoming air is ambient and dry feeling, turn fan down gradually. I rarely use recirculation mode for A/C. I've never had an issue.
Great video, thanks. Do you think if I make sure it’s on fresh air when I shut the car off, that having the damper in that position will allow moisture to evaporate over the hours the car sits there? What I am guessing is that if you shut the car off with it on recirculate, the evaporator core is sealed off from outside, so all moisture stays locked in there. In rec mode Some moisture could evaporate to the interior of the car, but that’s not great for the interior.
That's another great observation..
Good morning AMD. I have a wet water puddle underneath my 2010 toyota corolla under the front passenger tire. Is it normal ac condenser water leak? Should i do something? I need to put max AC to get normal cooling.
I have a similar problem with heating, don't get hot air blowing out the vents just cold until I turn the temperature up above 28C or upto Max then it gets hot but too hot.
I wonder if anyone might know why this is.
It's a 2013 Toyota Auris/Corolla 1.4D .
That sounds normal, as I see that in my current 2007 Malibu LS and the 2009 Tacoma (after installing the AC drain extension mod, before that it drained on the frame and appeared behind the passenger door). If cooling is being lost, it happens over time as the refrigerant also serves to lubricate the compressor and seals, so it does leak off over time. The best process is to extract the remaining refrigerant, which also removes water that is not good for the compressor, and refill with the full quantity of refrigerant specified on the vehicle sticker (or service manual).
Dear Ahmed, as a Toyota fanatic I just love your channel and content. I thought I was the only nutter out there, turns out I’m not. 😊 Appreciate your attention to detail and you taking care of the cars and the clients. Greetings from a fellow ocd. My rides are a 2019 Land Cruiser Prado and a 2023 Prius IV (not the Plug-In).
Lots of us Nutters out here!! My family has 6 Yotas (2008-2021) and Ahmed is a huge blessing!!