Strange or rotten smells coming from your car typically mean that there's an issue with the vehicle somewhere. Since these problems may lead to costly repairs it's best to get your vehicle checked right away to avoid causing further damage. Here are five car smells you shouldn't ignore.

Rotten Egg or Sulphur Smell

This unforgettable odor generally means that there's a problem with either your fuel injector or catalytic converter. You may also smell something similar when your vehicle's heater core wears out.

Syrup or Burnt Sugar Smell

If you smell a sweet odor like burnt sugar you probably have a coolant leak from a faulty radiator, a leaky radiator hose or a worn manifold with a bad gasket. The heater core of the vehicle may also emit this kind of smell when it's beginning to wear. If you smell this odor during winter be sure to get your heater core examined quickly. You may be without heat in your car for months if your heater core stops working in cold weather.

Gasoline Smell

A gasoline smell is a very bad sign because it means that there's a gas leak somewhere in the vehicle which could lead to an engine fire. Whether the leak is in the fuel injection hose, the fuel tank or another place, you'll need to get the smell checked out by a repair person quickly.

Hot or Burning Oil Smell

If you smell burning oil right after you change the oil in your vehicle this is normal and the smell should burn off after you run the engine for a while. But if the smell continues or happens out of the blue you may have a leaky seal. Park the car and look underneath to see if the oil is dripping continuously. If so, it's time to take the car to a mechanic.

Strong Exhaust Fume Smell

This smell generally means that there's a problem with the exhaust system in your vehicle. Strong exhaust fumes can make you feel light headed and may even pose deadly risks in small spaces, so if you notice this smell, take your vehicle to a repair person quickly.

Burnt Rubber Smell

The smell of burning rubber usually means that one of the belts or hoses is wearing or resting on the hot engine. Open your hood and give the belts and hoses a check to see if they are secure.

When you hear your car making a funny noise what do you do? Do you ignore it or try to pretend that it's coming from the car next to you instead? Or do you turn up your stereo and hope that it goes away? Actually, what you should do is take the time to listen and find out what's going on. When your car makes a strange sound it's letting you know that something is wrong and you need to get it checked. Here are five car noises you shouldn't ignore:

Squealing

Drivers often hear squealing sounds when they tap on their brakes. Most often this sound means you probably need to have a new set of brakes installed on your vehicle. However, you may hear these sounds even when you don't use your brakes. According to Lauren Fix, the "Car Coach" and the national automotive correspondent for Time Warner, waiting too long to have this noise inspected can lead to dangerous conditions and costly repairs particularly if you have to have your brake rotors replaced.

Scraping

If you hear your windshield wipers scraping across the glass that's not a normal sound, it means your blades are wearing thin from use. Waiting to have them replaced can cause the wipers to scratch the glass and that could cost you hundreds in repair bills. Driving with worn wipers also makes it hard for you to see while driving which is particularly dangerous since visibility affects 80 percent of your driving skills.

Clunking

This sound typically accompanies a bad shock absorber. If so, you'll have to get it checked out right away because a shock absorber that needs repair can affect your vehicle's braking, steering and handling capabilities.

Loud Clicks

Watch out for this sound when you're making a turn, because it likely means that your CV joint needs attention. Ms. Fix says that when this joint wears out it loses the grease that keeps the axles lubricated. Leaving this sound unattended can cause serious damage to the axles which can cost a pretty penny in repairs.

Ticking

If you stop your car and hear a ticking sound it probably means that you're low on oil. Get the oil changed as quickly as you can to avoid damaging your engine. According to Ms. Fix, low oil levels can cause severe engine damage and may require an engine replacement.