Why Does My Car Smell Sweet Like Maple Donuts?

December 30, 2022

Woman in car holding nose, unhappy.

We’re all fond of sweet maple syrup on our donuts, waffles, and pancakes. But when it comes to your car, a sweet scent is a major concern. If you catch a syrupy smell in your automobile, there’s a good likelihood you have a coolant or radiator fluid leak.


Coolant, sometimes called antifreeze or radiator fluid, plays an essential role in keeping your engine cool and stable. In addition to stabilizing your engine temperature, the additives in the solution prevent corrosion from forming on your engine components. The chemicals in the fluid are able to draw excess heat away from the car motor.


Sometimes, the coolant is used to allow repurposed warm air to heat up your and your passengers inside the cabin. Therefore, a leak can cause the sweet smell to escape into your car. 


Coolant/antifreeze flows through various components, so it can be challenging to detect and diagnose a leak on your own. This fluid flows through the radiator, heater core, hoses, and more. To be safe, we recommend bringing your car to the professionals at Accomplished Auto.


A maple donut scent may not seem like a big deal at first because it doesn’t smell bad like other car odors. However, this can be a huge mistake on your part. When your vehicle loses a significant amount of coolant, your car will likely overheat. If left long enough, your engine can experience irreversible damage, which will cost you tons of money in repairs.


It doesn’t take an expert to know that engine repairs are not cheap or easy. That is why it is critical for you to take your car to an auto repair shop at the first signs of a coolant leak. And oftentimes, it is the sweet smell of syrup. 


The certified mechanics are dedicated to thoroughly inspecting every part related to the cooling system, so nothing goes amiss. We invite you to bring your car to Accomplished Auto! 

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