To the Doctor:
I have a 2000 Buick Le Sabre, Ltd, and it smells bad within about 15 minutes after I turn on the air conditioner. After a while it will diminish and be gone.

What do you think I should do?

The Doc Says:
It sounds (smells?) like you're having a common problem. Namely, the moist conditions inside your car's air conditioner evaporator can be a breeding ground for various mold and mildew spores. When you first turn on the car's A/C, you get a full gust of moldy air, though the smell diminishes as the evaporator cools while you drive. There are several products on the market that can be used to clean your A/C evaporator core, though many of them are best handled by a professional technician.

Bottom line: Next time you're in an automotive service shop, ask them if they perform A/C odor elimination service. Speaking from personal experience, it can be worth the investment if you're looking for fresher air!

The advice described above is for informational purposes only. It cannot and should not be used in lieu of an actual, physical inspection and diagnosis by a trained mechanic or automotive technician. The opinions and advice offered herein are not intended to diagnose automotive problems or component failures; they are simply intended to provide information on what could be transpiring. VehicleMD accepts no liability resulting from actions taken as a result of this advice.