strange odor, and how to eliminate it

[matt_gold99]

Hi

Just got my 2011 Kizashi today. Let me tell you, I want to sleep in it tonight.

That being said, one odd thing is going on. It's pre-owned (obviously) and the interior has a weird smell. It's not funky like body odor, nor does it smell like food or rotten food. The interior of the car is spotless, and the dealership steam-cleaned and detailed it for me yesterday. I thought that would take care of the smell, but it's still there.
It smells a bit like new car smell, actually...or perhaps leather, or cleaning agent. It doesn't smell very "organic", it's very hard to describe. The car has 60k on it so I doubt it's new car smell.

How can I get rid of it beyond a steam clean? Any ideas? Any similar experiences?

Edit: just found one more issue...I only received one FOB and no metal tab with a key code. Is the code written somewhere on the FOB itself, is there any way to get this key code?

[KizStar]

They have scent disks at most auto parts stores/sections - always get the fresh linen one and keep it under my seat. Always keeps the car smelling good.

[murcod]

It could be from the carpets being steam cleaned, perhaps they're damp?

[matt_gold99]

good thoughts, both. My wife suggested an air freshener specifically for a car, and I guess a scent disk might be the way to go. Thanks for the advice on the Linen scent.

I know it wasn't the steam cleaning itself, as the smell was there before and it's what actually prompted the steam cleaning.

Well, we have a bit of freak Canadian weather here in Toronto...a bit of a snow storm. So I'll have to wait till it gets warmer, (probably Sunday actually) and start driving with the fan on and the windows down, to air out both the car and the vents.

Also, I have notices that folks around here know how to change the cabin air filter. perhaps I'll look into that....

[Stodge]

It's not from cigarettes or a dog?

[matt_gold99]

It's not from cigarettes or a dog?

No, it doesn't smell like either. Playing with the new Kizashi, I was looking around the trunk. Smelled it there too. I am seriously wondering if it's particularly pungent new-car smell that's somehow survived two years and 60k. Or maybe it's cleaning agent, used in way too much quantity. It smells a bit chemically, if that makes sense.

[CLLee]

Did they treat the interior with some kind of fabric/plastic/vinyl protection?
A friend of mine bought his car with paint & interior protection (he fell for it ...)
and the chemical smell lasted a few weeks.

Look under the carpet as well.

You could use ground coffee to neutralise the smell. Put them in a sachet, or sprinkle them under the carpet. After a few weeks, vacuum them off.

[matt_gold99]

Not sure what they treated the interior with, if anything. That being said, I'd believe it's cleaning agent in a second. I think I'll do some tests and see if it's coming more out of the vents than the inside of the car.
The coffee idea is pretty good....might try that. Also seriously thinking of the febreeze idea. Hoping that febreeze vent clips absorb odor, not just mask it.

[Stodge]

I've heard people say use baking soda or oatmeal in the fridge to soak up smells?

[KuroNekko]

It really sounds like the smell of a cleaner. Baking soda is known to absorb scents, but can make a mess if you are not careful, especially in a car.

Personally, I think the smell will dissipate soon.

I bought my car pre-owned with 7500 miles. It still had the new car smell which I enjoyed for a few months. I recently put in a Japanese air freshener. I love these JDM air fresheners. They are expensive, but the Japanese have some seriously delicious scents that are not made anywhere else. The scent called "squash" (pronounced "scash") is a good example.

I usually pick them up in Asian markets in California or when I visit Japan. I have not yet found them sold in stores around the Mid-Atlantic East Coast so I've had to order them online.

http://squashair.com/