Hi. After a bout of "spirited" driving I turn on my A/C and smoke starts blowing out from the center vents. After panicking for a couple seconds I turn it off and opened my windows.

Anyway, I tried to turn the A/C on again and the smoke is no longer there. It's still blowing cold air; but this isn't something I can just let go if it doesn't happen again. I need to find out what it is so I can fix it. Any idea's?

When it was coming out the A/C was in in-car circulating mode if that makes any difference.

Thanks a lot,
Florida

 

smell, color?

 

Thanks for responding.

white, not too thick

either smokey or chemically...I didn't have it on long enought to tell.

 

In reality, this isn't smoke; it's your own private weather system! Moisture in the air is condensing within the cold air stream from the A/C vents, and coming out as "fog". Don't worry; the fog will quit when the air gets circulated sufficiently. Meanwhile, put some heavy metal in the audio system and have your own private rock concert!

I remember when this first happened to me -- quite a shock until I realized what was going on. Some research into the subject told me it wasn't that unusual, but somehow I'd never heard of it before. I suppose if this is a chronic condition, or if accompanied by bad (moldy) smells, it could mean that the water drain vents are plugged. But otherwise normal.

 

Agreed. This is normal in humid areas, seeing as you live in Florida, this is to be expected.

Try arguing this to a less-then-smart customer who demands that you "fix" their car. Good times.

 

thats what i thought when i first read it. on humid days if i blast nice condensed air into a saturated cabin i can see the moisture.

 

yeah its normal.. here in hawaii it happens sometimes to me too.. i figured its the same as an airplane when the ac is on smoke blows out of the vents..

 

Condensation or fog like someone said. The immediate chilling of the air causes fog.