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Have an 2014 es350, lately on/off I've been smelling what smells like an ozone or somewhat cleaning supply smell when running air conditioning (like last weekend I smelled it and then past few days I haven't smelled it after not driving for a day or 2)
- I had an ozone cleaning a year ago
Lexus is requesting I do some 600 dollar anti bacterial treatment to the car, should I really do this or is it just them trying to get 600 out of me?
The smell usually comes from continual use of the recycle function and is caused by the buildup of moisture in the AC system…particularly in warm, humid climates. Unfortunately Lexus has programmed recycle into the “brain” when the temperatures are above a certain level whenever you start the car. Just reach down and use the selector button to get fresh air…the only time I will use recycle is when driving in or through areas with a lot of dust or industrial pollution in the air. This odour is not exclusive to Lexus…I first noticed it in my old (2003) Camry. Yes, you may need to use some kind of cleaner to initially clean the system but the smell should not reoccur with constant use of fresh air.
What is the "recycle" function in the lexus car? Sorry I'm a car idiot, is that like the air flow button that takes air in from outside or is this somewhere else?
Ever since I replaced air cabin filter, I haven't smelled anything (but even before that it kind of stopped after a few days)
Yes. The problem is that Lexus (Toyota), designs their system for max fuel economy and to he|| with anything else. They figure that recycle reduces air conditioner load and, hence must improve fuel economy. In recycle, moisture gradually builds up in the a/c and starts to mould (remember the Legionair’s disease back a couple decades ago?). This is what stinks and requires fresh air to dry it out and clear the system. Just reach down and hit that button to insure you are getting fresh air because the system defaults to recycle when you start the car in hot weather. The only time I use recycle is when I’m driving in heavy smog, (rare where I live), wildfire smoke, or a cloud of dust following a construction vehicle or driving a gravel road (common where I live). You might want to turn off the Auto mode as well.
If you got the “instruction tome”, give it a quick (ha!) read too.
Quite the opposite - you get much more condensation on evaporator with fresh air intake.
This would be true as a general statement.. But would have some unique variables at certain times that could make the opposite true.
I say that because your outside atmospheric air coming in will require the most "conditioning" and also hold the most humidity, i.e. resulting in more condensation on the condenser coil.
08-20-24, 01:51 PM
anti bacterial treatment
