extendedforecast Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Ive noticed that for the past week or so every time I ride in our family car, I get a headache and nausea. I've tried to explain away these symptoms. So what could it be? My Dd's just told me that they have been getting headaches too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Has your car gotten a good cleaning out lately? Maybe there's something in there that's producing something yucky. (Ask me how I know--the mysterious smell in my car was recently traced to a baggie of cheese that had been hidden away for a month. :glare:) Conversely, did you just get it cleaned--could there be a cleaning chemical or a new perfume making you sick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Check for an exhaust leak. DH's truck has one and he won't do anything about it. Makes me sick every time. :ack2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I would be concerned about the exhale process. It sounds like you may be getting carbon monoxide in the car. How old is the car and when did you last get it checked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 I think it got cleaned out and vacuumed about three weeks ago. We don't eat in the car, except on trips, and we bring in everything when we come in. I'll check the back just in case though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I would be concerned about the exhale process. It sounds like you may be getting carbon monoxide in the car. Carbon monoxide was my first thought, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolyn in Ohio Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 CO coming up through the floorboards? This happened to a friend of mine. Carolyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 The car is a 2011 model that we just bought a couple of months ago. I noticed that the button tha makes the air circulate doesn't work well. We were behind a tow truck the other day and I could hardly breathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nyssa Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Something in the air conditioning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Carbon monoxide was my first thought, as well. :iagree: It's serious. Don't mess around with it. Get the car checked out and speak to your doc about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Carbon monoxide was my first thought. Fire stations can usually check levels. I'd drive to your local fire house and let the car idle a little while with the windows closed, then have them check it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Your car is still under warranty -- call the dealership and explain what's going on, and let the service department diagnose and repair the problem. This isn't something to kid around with -- and for all you know, it could be a known issue with your make and model car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 It's due for an oil change anyway, so I'm heading over to the dealership to get it checked out. Thank you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I had a fuel leak many years ago that made me feel ill every time I drove. I don't remember the specifics but it wasn't a huge repair. I had to insist they keep looking to find the problem, though, as the car seemed fine on initial evaluation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 OP I hope you can get it all sorted out. I would think exhaust too or or something wrong with the fuel line. The only other thing I can think of would be a mildewy cabin filter that might need to be changed. Hope you get it sorted out today. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I would be concerned about the exhale process. It sounds like you may be getting carbon monoxide in the car. How old is the car and when did you last get it checked? this is my gut reaction too...carbon monoixide is VERY dangerous...get it checked out before you drive/ride in it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 That's interesting. I've noticed that tue car is kind of sluggish when getting up to speed. Dh said it could be the fuel injector, I think. I know very little of cars, so he could've said something else. He just hasn't had time to take the car in. Anyway, I wonder if that has something to do with our feeling sick in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Ive noticed that for the past week or so every time I ride in our family car, I get a headache and nausea. I've tried to explain away these symptoms. So what could it be? My Dd's just told me that they have been getting headaches too. carbon monoxide poisoning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 I had a fuel leak many years ago that made me feel ill every time I drove. I don't remember the specifics but it wasn't a huge repair. I had to insist they keep looking to find the problem, though, as the car seemed fine on initial evaluation. I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but would a fuel leak account for terrible gas mileage? Lately I've been getting 2-3 fewer miles per gallon than when we first bought the car. We are on our way there. Dh just had to stop to do an errand. We should be there in the next hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 It's due for an oil change anyway, so I'm heading over to the dealership to get it checked out. Thank you all. Good!!! I'm relieved to hear that! Let us know what it turns out to be -- I hope it's an easy fix! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 :bigear: Curious to hear what it was. I'm glad you got it looked at so quickly. It sounds like a scary problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Argh! The dealership wanted to keep the car overnight but couldn't give us a loaner. So we'll have to take it in tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 I hope it is something simple! :grouphug: Has the interior ever been exposed to water for a prolonged period of time? I know someone who experienced similar symptoms from a leak that allowed rain into the vehicle and black mold grew in the carpeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 CO was my first thought as well. Glad you decided to get it checked! Although, I wonder if the dealership will check for that. I'd almost be inclined to take it to the fire station first and let them check the levels after it has idled for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but would a fuel leak account for terrible gas mileage? Lately I've been getting 2-3 fewer miles per gallon than when we first bought the car. We are on our way there. Dh just had to stop to do an errand. We should be there in the next hour. Yes, it could, but other problems can do that as well. I'm glad you are getting it checked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Ive noticed that for the past week or so every time I ride in our family car, I get a headache and nausea. I've tried to explain away these symptoms. So what could it be? My Dd's just told me that they have been getting headaches too. I have not read the thread - my first thought is a blockage in the exhaust train or a leak that is letting exhaust into the cabin. I once lived in an apartment with a blockage in the gas furnace exhaust. That is how we felt, and how others felt when they came in - headachy, nauseas, and tired. We called maintenance and there was some bird's nest material in a wad in the flue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 OP - Did you find out what was making you sick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Bumping because I'm curious too. :bigear: Is your car fixed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I'm wondering, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 Sorry I forgot to update. We took the car to the dealership and left it for two days. After the first day, they called DH and said they couldn't find anything wrong with the car. So then DH called the manager of the service dept. and told them his concerns and asked them to check into the problem further. The put their "top" guy on the case and came back with the same answer. I haven't gotten a headache since we got back, but that's probably because I haven't driven the car for more than a few miles at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 you could be getting fumes in the passenger compartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyh Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 I'm glad I read this. My dd has been complaining of a funny smell in the car that makes her feel sick. I just though she was being dramatic. Gonna get the car checked today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Sorry you didn't get an answer. Have you had any more headaches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Carbon monoxide was my first thought, as well. :iagree: Get the exhaust system checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Get a battery back up CO detector and put it in the car and drive around like you normally would when you were getting headaches. If it registers then you know it is CO, if not, you can rule that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Are you prone to motion sickness? Motion sickness is a very odd thing. It can affect you in one seat but not another, on one side of the car and not the other, front seat or back seat, different cars in different ways and it most definitely makes a difference whether or not you are the drive. I have also found that heat makes it much worse. I am very prone to motion sickness and sometime I get nauseated just getting into the car before it has even been turned on. I have found that if I am not drving then I am taking enough dramamine or prescription anti-nausea meds to at least doze so that it doesn't bother me so much. I have much less problem when I am drving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadie Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 CO is important to look into, and also mold. Some cars have ventilation filters that need to be changed. Most cars can have the ventilations system flushed with a cleaner that will kill mold and mildew. It's not at all uncommon to have mold grow in AC vents. When we told our mechanic our vents had a smell they flushed the system and it solved the problem. We weren't having symptoms, just bugged by an icky smell every time we turned on the vents, especially AC, and especially when first turned on. Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyforlatin Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Get a battery back up CO detector and put it in the car and drive around like you normally would when you were getting headaches. If it registers then you know it is CO, if not, you can rule that out. Good idea, that's what I'm going to try. I don't always get headaches when I'm driving, but when I do, it's really awful. I haven't seen our neighborhood fire station with its door open for the public. Do they mind if we just knock on their door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jacknor Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I have a 2012 jeep grand cherokee that i purchased new back in June. The car has been perfect and have had no issues. About 3 weeks ago I started feeling light headed and feeling not so well when i drive the car. I tried changing out the cabin air filter thinking it was the AC but that didn't help. I brought the car to the jeep dealership last week and they kept it for 2 days. I was told they did a complete check of the car - AC, exhaust and electrical, and even had four different service technicians drive the car. They weren't able to find anything. After being out of the car for two days I picked it up last Thursday and after driving for 5 minutes back to my office I felt so strange. I can tell I'm breathing something because after I've been out of my car for several hours I can tell that I start feeling better/normal. I almost feel like I'm high or spaced out. I haven't really smelled anytthing significant althought at times it seems like I smelling rubber, but not burning, just a strong rubber smell. I'm at the point where I'm ready to get rid of the sucker. I'd lose money but I can't drive this and I'm concerned about my health. I think I need another opinion other than the jeep dealership. Does this sound like an exhaust problem? I bought a carbon monoxide detector at home depot and have had it in my car for two weeks but it hasn't gone off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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