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For the last few weeks everytime I start my car, I get a bad smell. First I thought it was the leather but now I think it's the air con, air con comes on everytime I start the car...

So is it likely my air con filter needs changing? and is it something I can do or must it go into audi?

Your air con needs to be sanitised to kill off the bacteria.

2 options to try:

1) Change the pollen / cabin filter, this fungus growth due to the dampness will cause a foul sourish smell.

2) If step 1 does not work, try leaving the heater on for about 10 mins each day before shutting off the car for the day. This only works sometimes.

hussains wrote:Your air con needs to be sanitised to kill off the bacteria.

Second that - you can get an aerosol (IIRC) that you spray into the heater inlet that kills the bacteria that grow in the damp environment of the aircon.

Try using deodorant

Halfords sell an aerosol spray that is a bit like one of those insect spray bombs you can set off in a house. First start the car and close all the windows. Put the a/c on LO and at maximum speed. Set the system to re-circulate. Place the can in the back footwell with the passenger seat forward and set it off and close the door. Leave the car running for 10 minutes or so.

You'll have to let the car ventilate afterwards otherwise you'll choke yourself to death. It's powerful stuff. Use it every few months. It works brilliantly.

Hope this helps.

Sorry - the spray is an Air Conditioning Cleaner

i use F20 air sanitizer for air con and heater vents - £10.00 a tin comes with long flexi pipe to feed into the air vents. good stuff!