How to get rid of smoke smell in "new" car

latercomer2 · 2 Apr 2012 at 15:29

Picked the OH's new car on saturday and noted that there was a bit of a smell now the valet smells were less prominant - got the car back and OH hates the smell in it which has got progressively worse over the day on saturday while the car was being driven. Car is a 12 month old Toyota Avensis from a dealer so not exactly cheap.

I've spoken to the salesman yesterday asking if they could do something about it such as shampoo all the upholstry and he's going to get back to me tody (although hasn't yet).

Anyone got any real tried and tested DIY methods of getting rid of the smells - dont want to just mask them for a couple of weeks then have to repeat. hopefully garage will sort it out but would like to have a backup plan.

Disco Boy · 2 Apr 2012 at 15:31

Magic tree.

Leave the windows open on a nice/breezy day.

Dale V · 2 Apr 2012 at 15:34

I would have thought steam cleaning would be the only option

NathWraith · 2 Apr 2012 at 15:44

Onions

Siliconslave · 2 Apr 2012 at 15:54

professional details have smoke machine style things that can do it, there are also aerosol 'bombs' (hi GCHQ) that have a similar effect...

Maccapacca · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAR-LORRY-C...64U2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333378421&sr=8-1

My Volvo came from my Dad who is a 40 a day smoker, it stunk, I washed off all the plastics aired it out for a week then whacked one of these in, worked a treat, bought two just in case but still have one left as it didn't need it.

antijoke · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:15

Siliconslave said:
professional details have smoke machine style things that can do it, there are also aerosol 'bombs' (hi GCHQ) that have a similar effect...

These.

When I worked at Toyta we had a car come in that had been smoked in and the valet guys set off a smoke 'bomb' in it.

Car smelt awesome afterwards.

Unsure of how long it lasted as the car was sold a few days later.

Dr Who · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:17

maccapacca said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAR-LORRY-C...64U2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333378421&sr=8-1

My Volvo came from my Dad who is a 40 a day smoker, it stunk, I washed off all the plastics aired it out for a week then whacked one of these in, worked a treat, bought two just in case but still have one left as it didn't need it.

Have used these before if someone has been smoking with the A/C on. It works really well.

ubersonic · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:19

You should prob change the filter in the ventilation system (usually behind the glovebox) or rather have the people who sold you do it.

latercomer2 · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:42

anticonscience said:
These.

When I worked at Toyta we had a car come in that had been smoked in and the valet guys set off a smoke 'bomb' in it.

Car smelt awesome afterwards.

Unsure of how long it lasted as the car was sold a few days later.

thats exactly my concern - when I test drove the car I could only smell the fact it had been cleaned. A week later and its smelling a bit fusty and after driving for a while its noticably worse.

latercomer2 · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:44

ubersonic said:
You should prob change the filter in the ventilation system (usually behind the glovebox) or rather have the people who sold you do it.

Presumably you mean what used to be called the cabin filter? (no idea what they are called these days - probably something unrelated ton their function!)

4T5 · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:46

Get the car running & have all the heaters on full bore then let a smoke bomb off in the car but leave a tiny gap in one of the windows, Works a treat & is great fun to watch.

latercomer2 · 2 Apr 2012 at 16:53

Will keep the "smoke bomb" and air con purifier thingy in mind - I've been on to the dealer and am waiting for a call back from the salesman. hoping they will deal with it to be honest as after spending which I consider to be a large sum of money I feel they should.

Wishing that I'd gone with the other car which OH had been in as I'm sure she would have picked up on any hint of smoke and that one got the all clear from her

bledd · 2 Apr 2012 at 18:00

Most cars have a cabin filter / pollen filter, changing this will help immensely.

I'd get the dealer to sort it out, but tap your reg in here to confirm if your car has one, most do. http://www.eurocarparts.com

Undeterred · 2 Apr 2012 at 18:31

If the car bomb only works initially try half cut onion as it soaks up the smell.

Also try febreez (professional) much stronger than the standard febreez.

mejinks · 2 Apr 2012 at 18:37

Find a friendly valeter who can get you some Autosmart Brisk Bio

Duke · 2 Apr 2012 at 19:02

Used a couple of the aircon bombs in the past, they work great but not sure how good it is against smoke smell. I wonder if the valet they did was just a once over and not a professional one?

asim18 · 2 Apr 2012 at 19:04

Maybe it's a good time to start smoking?

robj20 · 2 Apr 2012 at 20:06

cut onion, bowl of spirit vinegar and orange and lemon peal do the trick. best to give it a good clean as well.

ScarySquirrel · 2 Apr 2012 at 20:10

As above, I've heard onions sort it.

How to get rid of smoke smell in "new" car

Tea Drinker