Car smells strongly like mildew after rain/wet

[EOD Guy]

creynol16,

Welcome to the Jungle!

 

[BossEvelope]

I had this issue and through a combination of trial/error (& validation from a Toyota tech) I've largely solved and no longer get the mildew smell after rain/humid days.

Quick answer - turn off the AC and just run the fan for the last few minutes of your drive.

The AC seems to "hold" a large amount of condensation when running. If you turn off the car w the AC still on, this moisture will sit in the HVAC system and produce that mildew smell. For me it seemed to be amplified when super humid out (I'm in NC) or after rain.

You can see this in action, after driving a bit park and turn off the AC (but keep the fan on). Within 10 seconds you'll see a ton of water exit the AC drain (under the driver's side underbody).

During a recent service visit my tech validated this and said it's been a thing w Prius(s) for a long time. Must be something unique w the HVAC in Toyota's hybrid products.

Since I've started doing this (turn off AC last mile of drive, keep fan/recirculation on) I've had virtually no mildew smell.

Hope this helps.

This all seems right to me. The smell is most pronounced when I first turn on the car and I get a face full of the AC blast. Thanks!

 

[5Runner]

So are people OK with having to go through these routines to have their car not smell mildew-y after it rains or if it's just humid out? On a brand new car? That sounds crazy to be honest.

Incidentally, my windows-stay-wet-for-a-day-after-it-rains thing seems to have resolved. I suspect having road grease and grime seasoning the felt on the windows (and keeping water out) after a couple of thousand miles fixed it.

 

[jmqb1]

I installed some vent shades off ebay and it definitely will help this issue and add to quality of life at a drive through.

 

[ultane]

I had this issue and through a combination of trial/error (& validation from a Toyota tech) I've largely solved and no longer get the mildew smell after rain/humid days.

Quick answer - turn off the AC and just run the fan for the last few minutes of your drive.

The AC seems to "hold" a large amount of condensation when running. If you turn off the car w the AC still on, this moisture will sit in the HVAC system and produce that mildew smell. For me it seemed to be amplified when super humid out (I'm in NC) or after rain.

You can see this in action, after driving a bit park and turn off the AC (but keep the fan on). Within 10 seconds you'll see a ton of water exit the AC drain (under the driver's side underbody).

During a recent service visit my tech validated this and said it's been a thing w Prius(s) for a long time. Must be something unique w the HVAC in Toyota's hybrid products.

Since I've started doing this (turn off AC last mile of drive, keep fan/recirculation on) I've had virtually no mildew smell.

Hope this helps.

Welcome to the asylum.

Great post!