Question from Bonnie
Dear Debra,
I had wanted to buy a new 2016 car until I smelled the chemicals. I was shown a 3 year old prior leased car as I would still have warranty and thought I detected new car smell, but less. When my friend was talking with the salesperson I decided to find where the 2016 odor was coming from – It is from the AC vent!
I can not put charcoal pads on that. I saw you mentioned a filter – does it sit in the car with me or does it get installed into the car?
I would rather have a very old car, but I am concerned financially I may not be able to cover repair costs.
How well does the filter work? What year car do you think is safe from offgasing.
Do you think some models are more safe than others? Foreign cars can last many decades – so I rather take an old car.
I checked some and the seats are squashed, but a friend said a upholstery shop could replace them.
Would like to give a big thank you for the suggestion you gave me many years ago about the sleep number bed. The odor is not detectable with the charcoal blankets. It was the only bed I could use due to a medical problem. THANK YOU.
Debra’s Answer
You are very welcome.
The filter I have used in the past is from E.L. Foust It’s 160AN Auto/RV Air Purifier. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and sits on the floor on the passenger side. I found it to work very well. You plug it in and turn it on.
I try to purchase cars that are at least five years old. I manage to find used cars with low miles.
The car I currently have was only two years old when I bought it. It still smells like a new car. Mostly I drive it with the sunroof open so the fumes can escape.
Yes foreign cars last longer than American cars. Larry just bought an old Prius. They can last more than 200,000 miles.
Right now the choices seem to be 1) old and outgassed 2) use an air filter 3). Reupholster.
If you think the smell is coming from the AC, use the air filter.
We have had an Austin Air 160AN Auto Air Purifier in our car since it was new. It has helped me tolerate the interior off-gassing, but if I bought a new car I would not buy one with high VOC emissions again (I didn’t know there was such testing in 2007). We recently rented a small Ford SUV for a vacation and we all nearly died from the fumes!
Debra — have you found a list of test results for new cars? The only report I can find is this one from 2011-12: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2012/02/most-and-least-toxic-cars-tests-score-200-models/1#.V_RwFNQrL4Z
I don’t know of one more recent than that.
About how much percentage of the odor was reduced. How much did the filter help when the car was brand new? Thanks.
This was many years ago so I don’t remember exactly. What I remember was that the air filter made it possible for me to drive my new car without having discomfort or reactions.
Some Toyotas I looked at several years ago had the interiors sprayed with “new car smell” before they ever arrived at the dealers. When buying a used Ford, I asked the dealer not to spray with anything or clean the carpets, because I would react badly. “Good thing you told us” this particular Ford dealer said. Apparently there is a vacuum which also diffuses a scent. When buying a used car from a dealer or someone would have the car detailed, do mention that you need to avoid all scented products.
Last year I bought a three year old car and it was a wise move, but there was always a smell when starting up. Turns out there was a scented filter installed inside the ventwork. Duh? Had to have the service department remove it.
Shopping for used vehicles at dealerships will often expose to toxic cleaners and scent products that can be as bad as new car.
Dear Debra, Thanks for the info on the new car smell. My friend made a good suggestion also. I mentioned that newer electronics smell longer and some do not ever finish offgasing. But this was not a problem many years back – 1987 I purchased a new car that had mild new smell that did leave quickly. I believe products and plastics are lesser quality now to save money. My friend stated the recession was in 2008, and said to buy a car made prior to that time. On the internet someone had stated their car was 6 years old and still had new smell.