# AC smelling moldy for the first minute **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** highlander-hybrid, toyota\ **Created:** [September 15, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250 "2024-09-15T20:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/21 "2024-09-20T00:31:18Z")
> [@bloody\_knuckles](#): > > I won’t worry about shutting off the AC before shutting off my car from now on! Switching off the compressor helps to dry the evaporator coil and reduce odor, but the fan needs to remain on to flush out the damp air. If the evaporator isn’t dirty and doesn’t have an odor, switching off the A/C is not necessary. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/22 "2024-09-20T00:40:43Z")
I turn off the A/C, and just let the blower run a few seconds while driving and then turn the system completely off when about to park. I never never never leave it on when I turn the car off. That’s lazy. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/23 "2024-09-20T00:55:02Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > I never neve never leave it on when I turn the car off. That’s lazy. So, I guess those people who leave the AC on when they park their vehicles in the sun all day so they can use the remote start and allow the AC to cool the interior down, instead of opening the door to a blast furnace when they get to the vehicle are lazy? I would call those people smart. Oh! And by The way. Some people do the same thing in the winter. Only they leave the heater on in the defrost mode. Tester ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 1:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/24 "2024-09-20T01:26:18Z")
You just want to argue with me, like everybody else on here. I don’t know why I put up with this crap. Here’s what I do in the hot scenario: I go in the car and lower all the windows, then turn it on, and turn on the AC once I’m leaving the driveway or parking lot. I was taught that leaving the defogger or A/C (use same compress) on puts more load on the battery during a high-demand time, such as cranking the engine. What else am I wrong about on here: Putting the car mfg spec cold pressure in my tires. Driving at or slightly below the posted speed limit, in the right lane, on highways. You all just have to say something. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/25 "2024-09-20T01:42:04Z")
I had this problem before. I’m not sure if you and Nevada are the same person on this forum but I believe Nevada or you answered and addressed my problem on a thread I posted about this very same issue I was having with my Lexus IS AC smelling funky. The suggestion I received was to turn the car on and ( if I remember correctly) then set the fan on high heat and let it blow for about 10mins. Also, to turn off circulation or to turn it on. I’m not quite sure. Although I paid over $500 for Toyota to eliminate AC odor, the problem did return after awhile but the advice I received here works very well. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/26 "2024-09-20T01:44:04Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > I’m not sure if you and Nevada are the same person Why would you even think that ? They are 2 different people . ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/27 "2024-09-20T01:46:58Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > puts more load on the battery during a high-demand time, such as cranking the engine. You were taught wrong. When you crank the engine over, all power is cut off to all accessories so all battery voltage is used to start the engine. > **[Car Talk: Should accessories be turned off when shutting off the car?](https://www.telegram.com/story/business/automotive/2020/12/20/car-talk-shut-off-accessories-then-car/3948111001/)** > > Shut off accessories, then shut off car? Car Talk's Ray Magliozzi answers readers' questions on all things automotive. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/28 "2024-09-20T01:48:44Z")
Oh No , is it possible the Chris the tire guy was wrong ? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/29 "2024-09-20T01:55:29Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > Why would you even think that ? They are 2 different people . I don’t know. Maybe because they both answer problems similarly. So, to repeat, the suggestion I received from either one of them was to turn off the conditioner and set the ac temperature on high heat, then scroll down all windows and let the fan runs for about 10 minutes. My memory can’t recall whether the circulation was to be off or on. I do this at least twice since receiving the suggestion and it worked both times. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 2:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/30 "2024-09-20T02:07:56Z")
You go through all that to dry the evaporator before parking the car? Doesn’t it get uncomfortable with the heat on? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/31 "2024-09-20T02:10:37Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > You go through all that to dry the evaporator before parking the car? Doesn’t it get uncomfortable with the heat on? I do it while I’m at home and in my parking spot. And I stay outside of the car. It works very well and the odor doesn’t return for a good while. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 2:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/32 "2024-09-20T02:23:10Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > I never never never leave it on when I turn the car off. That’s lazy. > [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > You just want to argue with me, like everybody else on here. I don’t know why I put up with this crap. The above post is why, you just made it clear that you are right and everyone else basically is lazy… if you would have just left it at: > [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > I turn off the A/C, and just let the blower run a few seconds while driving and then turn the system completely off when about to park. Then nothing would have been said and that is the way you do it… I have never had an issue doing it my way, doesn’t make it right or wrong, just what I have experienced over 35+ years of getting in thousands of vehicles as well as my own… No one said you were wrong until you pull your typical BS I’m right and the rest of the world is stupid, or in this case Lazy… But once you open up that can of worms, it is game on for most members, so it is up to you, keep your can of worms closed or deal with it when you don’t…I will tell you what I have told many technicians that just keep complaining, “You see those wheels on the bottom of your tool box? well they rolled in here and can roll right back out if you don’t like it”… So it is up to you and your attitude/arrogance on how you want to be treated on here… Remember the one thing in common with members “picking on you” is yourself… ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/33 "2024-09-20T02:28:31Z")
Some people around here need some kind of hobby to keep themselves occupied. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 2:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/34 "2024-09-20T02:30:52Z")
I want to clear up something. I found the suggestion in question and realized I mistook tester and Nevada for a guy from Reddit community. Still, OP can try it to see if it works for him/her. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/35 "2024-09-20T02:55:53Z")
If it works for you go for it, not really a right or wrong answer here just what worked for you in your climate… If it doesn’t work try something else… This is not a should I have oil in my engine or not debate… lol BTW: The only thing I turn down before turning off my vehicles is the volume knob… 🤘 ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 3:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/36 "2024-09-20T03:10:19Z")
You should realize that if you’re not smelling the moldy odor %100 of the time, it doesn’t mean you’re not inhaling mold spores. > **[How to Get Rid of Mold in Cars | Chapel Hill Tire | Chapel Hill Tire](https://www.chapelhilltire.com/breath-at-your-own-risk-the-threat-in-your-cars-hvac-system/)** > > Worried you have mold in your car? Chapel Hill Tire can help. Review our guide to why mold in cars is dangerous and how to get rid of it today! Tester ---
**Author:** ![Daniel-De-La-Rosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Daniel-De-La-Rosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daniel-De-La-Rosa)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/37 "2024-09-20T03:23:11Z")
I don’t turn it off but this is the only car that has had this problem. ---
**Author:** ![Daniel-De-La-Rosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Daniel-De-La-Rosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daniel-De-La-Rosa)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 3:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/38 "2024-09-20T03:25:30Z")
Yes i followed directions so maybe I need to try what you suggested. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Daniel-De-La-Rosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Daniel-De-La-Rosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daniel-De-La-Rosa)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/39 "2024-09-20T03:28:58Z")
Ok something else I can try now that it is gettin cold ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250/40 "2024-09-20T03:30:48Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > The only thing I turn down before turning off my vehicles is the volume knob… 🤘 +1 🤘 I love it loud - but not all of a sudden when I turn the key! You know gimme a sec before I continue to make myself deaf. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-smelling-moldy-for-the-first-minute/196250.md?page=3)