I tried searching for the issue, but all of them were related to A/C usage. My odor issue has nothing to do with the A/C usage.

Recently, I am getting this odor when I put the air flow in the non-recirculation? mode and it gets worse as speed increases (more air flow is causing the increase). It's as if there is a dead animal in the duct. lol
The smell eventually goes away only if I the use recirculation mode. I will be driving only with recirculation mode till I find out a possible solution. I hate it b/c I love and usually do drive in non-recirculation mode...

I took the cabin filter out and had a look. It was grey in color, but didn't notice any bad odor directly from it. I still get the odor even after lysol treatment.

I ordered a new filter, but I am not confident it'll fix the problem...

Any ideas?

 

It is an A/C issue. When you put the system in fresh air mode it pulls air from outside through the vents. That's why when you are driving faster, the vents push out more air.

Try running the system on MAX heat and MAX fan through top and bottom vents. Run it with A/C on and for about 5 minutes. See if that does anything.

 

I get the odor regardless of the A/C usage.
As long as I set to "recirculation" mode, I don't get the odor. That's why I assumed it wasn't the AC issue.

I will give your suggestion a try.
Thanks.

 

I have had the same issue. Never figured it out.

Never use the other options anymore, just recirculate....

 

and it suddenly occurred one day. No sign of abnormal smells before that.
Did you try to change the cabin filter? Or go to a dealership?

How long did you have the problem for?

 

I avoid the dealer at all cost!

I changed the cabin filter, same thing!

 

maybe you have a dead rat or roden in your engine that causes that smell

 

It seems like fungus issue if you are still having the odor after replacing the cabin filter. That happens when there's moisture because of humidity. Just turn the heater on full blast and put it in fresh air mode. Leave the heater on for about 5 minutes. That usually solves the problem.

Terrance

 

Your car is too low! I am sure it would not clear their lifts