Why does my car AC smell like vinegar?

A vinegar smell from your car AC is caused by mold, mildew, or bacteria growing on the damp evaporator core, and it is very common in humid Miami. As the AC pulls moisture from the air, that moisture collects on the evaporator, and if it does not dry out, microbes flourish and produce a sour, vinegary odor. A dirty cabin air filter and a partly clogged drain tube make it worse by trapping even more moisture. The smell is usually strongest in the first moments after you switch on the AC. The fix is to replace the cabin filter and treat the evaporator with an antibacterial cleaner that kills the growth at its source. At Motoro Cars, our ASE-certified technicians clear the odor and address the underlying moisture issue so it does not return. Serving Miami from Wynwood and Doral, call (786) 634-2002 or visit motorocars.com to breathe clean, fresh air again.