Every morning, just as I get into my car and right before I press start engine, I have to hold my breath for a few seconds because there is odor coming from my vents. It lasts for a few seconds.

Is any of you who owns a 2013 RX has experienced this?

 

I do have the same issue.

 

When you run the AC on recirc. water gets into the thingamajiggy and just sits there and starts to smell. If you can remember... Before you get to your destination switch the AC to fresh air mode, now this is after you take it to Lexus and have them perform the ionizer service and replace the filters. They also mist Formula 51 and mist disinfectant/sanitizer. That will get rid of the existing smell... It was done to my 2013 LS460 today and it smells like Heaven in the car. Now I just have to remember to switch to the fresh air mode before I get to my destinations.

 

I have never encountered this problem on any of my Lexus including my 2013 RX450h, although I do keep the circulation mode on "Auto" the majority of the time with fresh air coming through.

 

This is discuss pretty extensively here and all the things people tried and seems to be a common problem:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-ac-vents.html

What works is turning the AC off (fresh air mode doesn't work) with fan running to prevent the problem. If you have the problem, you can try turning the heat on max that should also fix the problem. I'm experimenting with this once a month to keep the problem away without turning the AC off.

 

With success my solution is remove the cabin air filter. Replace it if it needs it. If not spray with Lysol and let dry before replacing. While the cabin filter is out spray the Lysol in the fresh air vents where the wipers are located with the air conditioning on. Turn the air off as soon as possible after spraying to keep the Lysol in the system. Hope it works for you!!!

 

I have a musty odor when I start my vehicle. When the air conditioning is on the smell goes away within a few minutes but when the air conditioning is off I retain the musty smell for a long time. I've had it looked at by the dealership and they said no drains were blocked so they sprayed it with an orange smelling disinfectant which only lasted a day. Not sure what my next step should be. Bought the car new and the smell started with less than 4 thousand miles.

 

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1785&ppt=C0050

I used above on my RX350 more than two years ago.
I sprayed it thru the evaporator drain hose.
The air from the vent has smelled "neutral" after the treatment.

If you guys treated the evaporator coil and it still smelled, then the mildew was in other areas too.
You would need to spray thru the vent below the windshield wipers.

 

Yes me too. Same usage of ac between my IS and my RX - my Rx stinks......

 

The actual TOYOTA A/C cleaning kit is a 2 part system.

One can is the foam you shoot up into the a/c drain pipe to clean the evaporator .
The 2nd can is an aerosol which you spray down into air intake at the base of the windshield.

If you have a stubborn smell, you might want to try the 2 part kit instead.

 

I had the dealer use the two part Toyota cleaning kit I purchased from Sewell on the RXh. The cost was $60 for labor. I've also used the Einzett Klima Cleaner ETU (easy to use). Now I did it more for preventative reasons but I'd recommend either one. Also change out the cabin filter. That can retain odors as well.

 

Hi txt,

Could you kindly point out where is this "evaporator drain hose" or " evaporator coil"?

Thanks!

 

I need to get this done, my RX stinks!

 

It is very easy to find the evaporator drain hose.
You turn on the AC and wait a few minutes for moisture to condense into water.
Put your head under the passenger's front door and you should see water dripping from
the car to the ground.
The water is dripping from the evaporator drain hose.
The evaporator coil is above evap drain hose but you cannot see the coil from under the car.
The evap coil area is where the mold lives and where the bad odor comes from.
To eliminate the odor, you have to kill off the mold.

The Lube guard product has a small two foot clear tube that you insert into the car's evap drain hose.
You insert the small clear tube as far as you can and the tip of the tube should reach the evap coil area.
You then spray the whole can of foam up the clear tube and into the evap coil area.
The foam will kill off most of the mold and eliminate most/all of the odor.

Here's picture of the drain hose on a Honda Accord but the RX350 is similar location. See post #92
http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/sh...t=56713&page=7