I hate the smell of mildew in the morning ...

Vic Doucette · 10-09-2007, 07:25 AM

For the last couple of mornings, I've noticed a whiff or three of mildew immediately after start-up. My car has been garaged since I bought it, and there was no rain in the area yesterday; it rained last night, but the car was dry from being inside the garage, of course.

The smell goes away after a few moments, but returns the next morning.

About 6,500 miles on the car, FWIW.

Any ideas?

JackDodge · 10-09-2007, 08:46 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vic Doucette @ Oct 9 2007, 07:25 AM) [snapback]523040[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

For the last couple of mornings, I've noticed a whiff or three of mildew immediately after start-up. My car has been garaged since I bought it, and there was no rain in the area yesterday; it rained last night, but the car was dry from being inside the garage, of course.

The smell goes away after a few moments, but returns the next morning.

About 6,500 miles on the car, FWIW.

Any ideas?
[/b]

If you use recirculation a lot, that may be the problem. I use it a lot and used to have that problem. Leave the windows open a little when it's parked to air it out and shut off recirculation when you don't need it.

viking31 · 10-09-2007, 08:52 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vic Doucette @ Oct 9 2007, 07:25 AM) [snapback]523040[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

For the last couple of mornings, I've noticed a whiff or three of mildew immediately after start-up. My car has been garaged since I bought it, and there was no rain in the area yesterday; it rained last night, but the car was dry from being inside the garage, of course.

The smell goes away after a few moments, but returns the next morning.

About 6,500 miles on the car, FWIW.

Any ideas?
[/b]

Check your cabin air filter (it's right behind the bottom glove compartment; you will need to remove the bottom glove compartment but it is easy to do). I had the same problem with the mildew smell at startup too; especially after it rained and as in your case even if the car was garaged and dry. Turned out for me a critter (mouse??) started to build a nest on top of my cabin air filter.

Rick
#4 2006

richard schumacher · 10-09-2007, 10:20 AM

Ask your service shop to make sure that the A/C evaporator drain hole is not plugged.

If you use recirc a lot it can help to run the heater for a minute just before parking the car to help dry out the evaporator.

jayman · 10-11-2007, 12:46 AM

This issue has come up before. The following thread goes into a lot more detail

http://priuschat.com/Wet-towel-mildew-smel...ner-t39629.html

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
First Cold Morning	gazz	Gen II Prius Main Forum	13	10-22-2007 11:41 AM
Wet towel (mildew) smell coming out of air conditioner	knownasmichael	Gen II Prius Main Forum	18	10-14-2007 04:58 PM
Morning Startup	ranmandx	Gen II Prius Main Forum	8	08-13-2007 05:04 PM
good morning :-)	sarah79	Gen II Prius Main Forum	4	07-03-2006 09:39 PM
He loves the smell of money in the morning	tag	Fred's House of Pancakes	6	01-26-2004 01:59 AM

10-09-2007, 07:25 AM	#1
Vic Doucette Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 32 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	For the last couple of mornings, I've noticed a whiff or three of mildew immediately after start-up. My car has been garaged since I bought it, and there was no rain in the area yesterday; it rained last night, but the car was dry from being inside the garage, of course. The smell goes away after a few moments, but returns the next morning. About 6,500 miles on the car, FWIW. Any ideas?

10-09-2007, 10:20 AM	#4
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,508 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	Ask your service shop to make sure that the A/C evaporator drain hole is not plugged. If you use recirc a lot it can help to run the heater for a minute just before parking the car to help dry out the evaporator.

10-11-2007, 12:46 AM	#5
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 11,560 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 35 Thanked 185 Times in 168 Posts Friends: 12	This issue has come up before. The following thread goes into a lot more detail http://priuschat.com/Wet-towel-mildew-smel...ner-t39629.html