Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: 1  smudge(Noun) A blemish; a smear. 2  smudge(Noun) Dense smoke, such as that used for fumigation. 3  smudge(Verb) To obscure by blurring; to smear. 4  smudge(Verb) To soil or smear with dirt. 5  smudge.
This smell might mean that your coolant is leaking from somewhere like a radiator or heater hose. This kind of a problem means it's a good idea to take your car into a professional. If you smell maple syrup outside the car, this might mean that you have a leaking radiator cap or that the radiator itself has a leak.
Keep an eye on your vehicle's temperature gauge. When the vehicle is running beyond optimal temperature (anything into the red portion of the gauge), this is the first sign of trouble. 6. Assume there is a leak somewhere in the cooling system if you experience an acrid smell when the engine is at ideal temperature.