I've recently noticed a strong gas smell when I start the car in the morning while pulling out of the garage. Has anyone else experienced this? I've also noticed a dip in my milage performance as well. What could be the cause or am I overly concerned?

06/AT about 13k miles.

Thanks in Advance.

 

That's normal, when you start your car on a cold engine, the ecu sends out rich parameters to the injectors. Just don't drive like a bat outta hell a minute after u start your car and you'll be fine.

 

a car should "warm up" for a minute or two. i usually let it drop to 900rpm when it on idle plus we fuel up on should be high octane so it should be rich

 

i get that smell also especially if my 06 6spd has not been driven for a few days. my car now has 25,350 miles (bought new 11/17/06) and the gas smell does not to appear (knock-on-wood)my car is also kept in the garage.

 

You say "recently" which means something has changed. A strong gas smell is not normal and could be hazardous. Your vehicle has a closed fuel system which means you should never smell gas vapors. There is a leak somewhere - look for stains on the garage floor and look under the car when it's running for any fuel line or hose leakage.

 

is this with the windows open or closed?

if when closed: you have a leak somewhere
if when open: its normal because all cars start up rich.

 

I notice it mostly when the recycle button is off on the a/c. So I guess that could count as windows open. I just don't remember smelling it until recently.