Cold Weather Strange Smells - Thoughts Please

[EtoileBrilliant]

We went on holiday and left the CX-9 in the long term car park for 3 weeks. Here in Sweden we have had an exceptionally cold winter (-20 C). I was told not to apply the parking brake. On our return car started perfectly but noticed two smells.

First, when I put the heating on I could smell what I thought was glycol or anti-freeze. I know that there the AC doesn't use glycol but that is what it smelt like. Given the very low temperatures could something have happened to the AC in our absence?

More recently, I have smelt a "burning smell". It is more apparent on the outside of the car. My uneducated gut feel suggests that it might be something to do with one of the brakes (the parking brake seems much lighter/looser). Any help appracited.

The car goes in for its two year service on Monday. What shoud I tell the mechanics to be looking for?

Thanks in advance

 

[ceric]

Check if there is anything on the Cat converter (under body), which gets very hot and burns things on its surface.

For A/C, let it runs for a while to see if the smell go away.

 

[vikefan7]

I've noticed a burning smell coming from my vehicle on the outside recently as well. It's not as cold where I am, but the car only has 17000 miles on it and I can't place the smell. It hasn't always been like this.

 

[Davicho]

Are you guys talking about the mysterious burnt oil/mechanical smell that is very prominent in the right rear wheel well area? if so, a couple of us have noticed it as well, but to no solution or pinpoint.

 

[cccx9]

We went on holiday and left the CX-9 in the long term car park for 3 weeks. Here in Sweden we have had an exceptionally cold winter (-20 C). I was told not to apply the parking brake. On our return car started perfectly but noticed two smells.

First, when I put the heating on I could smell what I thought was glycol or anti-freeze. I know that there the AC doesn't use glycol but that is what it smelt like. Given the very low temperatures could something have happened to the AC in our absence?

More recently, I have smelt a "burning smell". It is more apparent on the outside of the car. My uneducated gut feel suggests that it might be something to do with one of the brakes (the parking brake seems much lighter/looser). Any help appracited.

The car goes in for its two year service on Monday. What shoud I tell the mechanics to be looking for?

Thanks in advance

Do you smell antifreeze when you're outside of the car after you have driven it? The smell could be a small coolant leak.

 

[EtoileBrilliant]

Servicing Agent Checked Cat

The smell still exists. It is definitely from the exterior of the car as when we crawl in traffic (i.e. linger in our own smell) it becomes heightened. I told the agent to look for any third party object on the cat - in particular a dead animal (as I had seen droppings on the top of the air intake when I opened the bonnet) - but nothing. Mazda agent checked with HQ and was told this smell is "normal".

Thanks anyway