I drive 2018 Mazda CX5; excellent condition. New tires. Low mileage. Basically, never had a real issue.

I posted this in a repair sub but no one has responded yet, so I figured I’d check within the Mazda community to see if anyone has had similar issues or has any clue what the issue could be.

I was in my car on Tuesday, everything was great…

I got into my car on Wednesday and noticed a faint smell of gas. I thought it’d clear up, but about 5 mins in, I realized the gas smell was BAD and getting worse.

By the time I got it back home, all within maybe 10 min, it looked like there was a tiny bit of white smoke (please note: I’m not entirely sure of this because I was freaked out and panicking. My roommate says no white smoke, I said yes, small puffs of white smoke) and there was a gas trail following me.

Obviously, I need a professional to see the vehicle to assess the problem, but honestly, I’m scared to start the car, never mind drive it to a mechanic.

Can I start the car to further take a look or is this an issue that calls for a tow truck?

Has anyone else had this/similar happen to their Mazda (or other vehicle)?

I will take any advice or potential diagnoses on the problem as I’m clearly clueless.

Thank you. Hoping it’s not a bank-breaking repair.

    • GraziellaTerziana@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Those words don’t mean much to me because I am not educated in this but I appreciate your response. Would you “risk” starting / driving the car in this case? Even just to a mechanic…?

      • steleph4nt@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        If it’s leaking fuel in the engine area then I wouldn’t drive due to risk of fire and damage. If it is from the fuel tank area (rear). You could drive it. However, if there is a literal leak of fuel you should just tow it to the shop.

        I am not a mechanic, and without seeing it myself, your safest play is to tow it in if at all possible.

    • GraziellaTerziana@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I can’t say I would recognize the smell of coolant, necessarily, but it certainly smelled of gas fumes. I could smell it in my hair and clothes after I got out of the car, which is why I’m so scared to start the engine again (just want to get a clearer idea of what could be leaking or what’s happening).

      I did not see any check engine light come on in the 10/15min I had my car running. Not sure if that matters.

  • MonsieurReynard@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    How is your fuel level looking?

    Was it parked for a while somewhere sketchy? It’s not uncommon these days for thieves to steal gas by drilling a hole in your tank. But you’d notice that since you’d be close to out of gas.

    Doubling down on do not drive a vehicle with a suspected active fuel leak. Paying for a tow sucks. Burning your car to the ground, and possibly worse, sucks a lot more.

    • GraziellaTerziana@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Fuel level was completely the same from when I drove it Tuesday to this calamity on Wednesday; I even made note of it, thinking I didn’t need to refill before holiday travel.