Vinegar smell inside in the morning

[Magellan55]

so lately my car smells of vinegar when I get in after parking overnight in my garage. It quickly goes away as I start to drive, and I don't notice it again for a few days. My daughter noticed it too. I generally don't eat in my car, and don't have much stored in the center console other than some hand sanitizer. Could this be a sign of some kind of fluid leak, maybe some battery coolant? Or some glue/solvent venting after 2 years? Nothing else seems to be wrong, no strange noises or excessive battery drain.

 

[PhilDavid]

When did you last service your AC? There is a desiccant bag that prevents moisture buildup that may cause odors.

This is the first thing that came to my mind especially when you said the smell goes away.

 

[csanders90D]

It’s probably the hand sanitizer. I got one to keep in the car and started noticing a vinegar smell in the morning. Got rid of the sanitizer, and smell went away.

 

[bktiger86]

It’s probably the hand sanitizer. I got one to keep in the car and started noticing a vinegar smell in the morning. Got rid of the sanitizer, and smell went away.

I was about to say that too. If you been using your hand sanitizer in the car the smell might give off a vinegar smell too.

 

[Magellan55]

OK I'll remove the hand sanitizer for a few days and see if the smell returns. Seems about right timing, as it started a few months ago. I just assumed it would smell more of alcohol than vinegar so didn't think of it. Also I haven't serviced the car at all yet - is the AC desiccant due at 2 years?

 

[Vegas]

I've had the same thing on several occasions. - 2015 P90D. Reported to SC, could find no fault. I am confident it's the AC.

Suggest putting your AC on 'auto' or fresh air occassionally.

I usually leave it on recycled air all the time, after a while the smell returns - so I change to 'fresh air' for a while (a day or so) and then back to recycle. Smell gone for several months again. This will work. Good luck.

 

[PACEMD]

so lately my car smells of vinegar when I get in after parking overnight in my garage. It quickly goes away as I start to drive, and I don't notice it again for a few days. My daughter noticed it too. I generally don't eat in my car, and don't have much stored in the center console other than some hand sanitizer. Could this be a sign of some kind of fluid leak, maybe some battery coolant? Or some glue/solvent venting after 2 years? Nothing else seems to be wrong, no strange noises or excessive battery drain.

You're not drinking that cheap wine again, are you?

 

[PACEMD]

Sorry, had to pick on you Chapel Hill folks. I'm really from Raleigh.........

 

[nomis_nehc]

It's the AC. We usually don't have this discussion about it since it's not as bad on the S, Model 3 owners are extremely familiar with this.

It's simply a design flaw of the HVAC system. It'll go away after summer.

 

[BigNick]

If you’re using your Tesla for Uber, some of your passengers might be D-bags.

 

[Magellan55]

Sorry, had to pick on you Chapel Hill folks. I'm really from Raleigh.........

Hey at least I'm not driving a Prius or Subaru wagon...