Hey all, so this week temperature raised to the low 80s and I began running my AC. I immediately noticed a strong moldy/mildew smell in the cabin as soon as I pressed the AC button when I'm on re-circ mode. If i'm on external circ mode and hit AC, then the smell is not as strong, but definitely still there.
I figured it's maybe my cabin air filter, but there is absolutely zero smell at all if I do not press the AC button and just let the fans run, in both re-circulation and external circulation mode. I've been running the fans all winter, along with heater, and I drive with my fan on year round, the HVAC system is never set to OFF. If it's some mildew growth on the evaporator or filter, shouldn't it smell regardless I have the AC compressor engaged or not?
The car is just past 1 year old, had it since new, garage kept, and I never had a vehicle AC give me mildew smell before. Cabin air filter was changed 3 months ago at 12k service, I took it out, and although a bit dirty, definitely had no smell...wondering if this is a common problem on Outbacks, and whether it's worth a dealership visit...
Thanks!
I figured it's maybe my cabin air filter, but there is absolutely zero smell at all if I do not press the AC button and just let the fans run, in both re-circulation and external circulation mode. I've been running the fans all winter, along with heater, and I drive with my fan on year round, the HVAC system is never set to OFF. If it's some mildew growth on the evaporator or filter, shouldn't it smell regardless I have the AC compressor engaged or not?
The car is just past 1 year old, had it since new, garage kept, and I never had a vehicle AC give me mildew smell before. Cabin air filter was changed 3 months ago at 12k service, I took it out, and although a bit dirty, definitely had no smell...wondering if this is a common problem on Outbacks, and whether it's worth a dealership visit...
Thanks!
