1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

A/C startup vinegar aroma?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by pineprius, May 23, 2017.

  1. pineprius

    pineprius 15th Hole #4

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2011
    245
    134
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    There is a slight and only for a minute smell of acidic acid (vinegar) upon starting the A/C. Has anyone else experienced this? Changed the cabin air filter and pushed the pulse fresh air button, but still happens.
     
  2. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Common issue with the Prius. Entire section about this somewhere in the forums here at Priuschat. I suggest putting in the search bar "odor with AC on" or something like that. Basically it is nothing to worry about and some found some work arounds to getting rid of it.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    try turning the a/c off as far from your destination as possible, with the fan on high as a regular routine. this helps reduce moisture collection in the vent system.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Nothing much to add, except my editorial obsession: it's "acetic" acid.
     
  5. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2016
    608
    532
    0
    Location:
    Folsom, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Keep a flow-through box of baking soda under the passenger seat.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I second this comment. Even turning the ac off and fan a notch or two higher for a minute or so before you stop each time does the trick. Kind of annoying, yes, slightly. But worth it.
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Mine came that way (used) but it was more of a musty smell. A couple good long sprays of Febreze into the intake with the A/C full blast on fresh air rather than recirc and also vent with fresh air finally seems to have fixed it. I sprayed a long time but it came back in about a week. Did it again and it's been OK now for well over a month. It helps to run A/C and/or vent on fresh air periodically to dry it out. I like to start out that way in the summer anyway because it's faster to cool the 95° incoming air than the 140° air inside the car. Once it cools down inside, I switch to recirc.
     
    KCobby likes this.
  8. gallde

    gallde Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2004
    238
    130
    0
    Location:
    Tarrytown, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    It's ALIVE! The odor is from decaying mildew. Dry out the evaporator (A/C off, fan on) as others have suggested before shutting down the system. Can also use a mildewcide sprayed into the A/C intake plenum after taking out the cabin air filter, but be sure to wear a particulate respirator when using it.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  9. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2016
    416
    267
    0
    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    I sometimes have this problem too, especially in damp weather or if it hasn't been used in a while, though I'd describe it more like a "wet dog" smell. It's no worse than the A/C in my previous car though (it's better if anything). I should try turning it off and leaving the fans running before stopping more often.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  10. pineprius

    pineprius 15th Hole #4

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2011
    245
    134
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Appreciate the responses. Previously had told my wife (her car) to turn on the fan to high with fresh air. Did not do it, but now will. Seems drying out the evaporator is the solution. Thanks all.
     
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I think it's still a good idea to pray something in there to kill the mildew AND run it on fresh air to dry it. Just drying it is not going to do nearly as much good.