My car smells of petrol: what could be causing the smell, and when should I take it to a garage?

If your car smells of petrol, the cause is often a loose fuel cap, fuel that has splashed whilst refuelling, or a small leak in the fuel line. The strength of the smell and when it occurs tell you a lot: a smell that disappears after refuelling is rarely a cause for concern, but a persistent smell or a puddle under the car is. Petrol is highly flammable, so if you suspect a leak, do not restart the engine. Below are the most common causes and the point at which the car needs to be taken to a garage.

The car smells of petrol: reasons from the fuel tank to the engine compartment

Start with the fuel cap. A worn seal or a cap that doesn’t tighten properly will allow fuel vapour to escape, and the smell will become stronger after refuelling and in warm weather. You can check the cap visually: look for cracks and screw it on tightly. There may also be a leak at the joints between the filler pipe and the tank, in which case the strength of the smell may vary depending on how full the tank is. If the smell persists even after tightening the cap, the cause lies elsewhere.

In the engine compartment, the smell usually comes from fuel hoses, connectors or the seals on the fuel injectors. An old rubber hose cracks over time, and a hot engine brings the smell to the fore after the car has been switched off. A smell coming from the exhaust pipe usually indicates unburned fuel, which may be caused by, for example, a fault in the ignition system or an incorrect fuel mixture. An ignition fault is often also noticeable as a jerking sensation, and we’ll tell you more about this in the article ignition problems and jerking in a petrol car.

A strong smell of petrol or a spill under the car means that the car must be stopped and must not be started again.

When should you pull over immediately if you smell petrol?

Stop the car immediately if there is a strong smell in the passenger compartment, if you see a wet patch under the car, or if the smell persists after the engine has been switched off. Leaking petrol near a hot exhaust system or electrical components can catch fire, so do not drive such a car to a garage. Even a small drip is reason enough to stop driving. Have the car towed. The same applies if the car is clearly using significantly more fuel than usual for no apparent reason.

A slight smell, only when starting the engine cold or immediately after refuelling, does not usually require a tow, but if it happens repeatedly, it is worth having the cause investigated. If your fuel consumption has also increased, have a read of the article fuel consumption rose unexpectedly Points to check. If the engine warning light comes on, in addition to the smell, please read what you can do straight away and when it is worth carrying out a fault-finding check.

When your car smells of petrol: a safe course of action

If there is a strong smell, switch off the engine, pull over to a safe place and get out of the car. Do not smoke or use any open flames nearby. Open the doors to let the air circulate, but do not restart the car if you see a leak. Call us on 045 896 0556 and tell us when you notice the smell and whether there are any stains visible under the car. This information will help us pinpoint the fault more quickly.

We’re looking for the source of the smell diagnostics and carry out an inspection, and we’ll repair the fault regardless of the cause. After the service, you’ll receive a report via email detailing the work carried out. We serve customers in Kirkkonummi, Siuntio, Espoo and Veikkola. We are open on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm at Kylmäläntie 350, Kirkkonummi.