Previous owner was a smoker...

[Artsee]

I have owned my car for a couple months now and the "smoke" smell from the previous owner really bothers me. I tried a potent Japanese air freshener and it masked the smell, however it was/is still noticeable. I changed the cabin filter and I am not sure it made a difference.

Any tips, tricks, ideas?

[streetlight]

You can bring it to a detailer and they will give it a thorough clean and perhaps a steam clean would take care of it.

[cat-like]

I know it can be tough to get rid of. Even with a professional clean I have heard of the smell coming back soon after the steam clean, albeit reduced in intensity. It might take 2 or 3 goes to get rid of it. Hopefully that won't be the case for you.

I hate the smell of smoke in cars and I'm a smoker. I haven't smoked in a car or anywhere inside for well over 20 years now.

[Dackelone]

My used 535iA was owned by a smoker. I bought a few Baking Soda boxes and left them inside the car. That helped alot to get rid of the smoker smell. But what really did the trick was one of those AC anti bacterial killing cleaners.

I used this one from SONAX. It works like a bug bomb... you switch on the AC and also switch on the RECIRCULATION button. Then set off the "bomb" and let the car idle with the AC on for 15 minutes. This really killed all the weird smells in my old 5er.


http://www.amazon.de/SONAX-03231000-...+power+cleaner

I don't think this product is sold in the USA yet... but I know Detailers Domain sells a similar product.


I would also change your charcoal pollen filter under the engine hood before using a product like this. It should be changed every year anyways.

Good Luck
Dackel

[Artsee]

Thanks for the input.

Dackelone--I think what you are suggesting is the ticket! Will definitely give this a shot.

[Pig Farmer]

Some people have had success with ozone generators. Just know that the ozone molecule that oxidizes/destroys the odor molecule will also oxidize unprotected metals, carpets and wire insulation. Just keep that in mind if someone offers that up as a solution.

[cheshirecat79]

I agree with Dackel's suggestion and also recommend that exact product- it will make a huge difference. I'd also do a shampoo of all the carpet as well as a thorough wipedown of every interior surface possible. It's not just the ashes that you need to be concerned about, but the yellow "tar" that you see coat the walls in a typical smoker's house- some of this will be in your headliner, carpet, etc.

I think the odor eliminator will take care of the majority of the smell, especially in regard to the stuff you can't get to (AC system venting), but in my experience some will linger for quite a while until you thoroughly clean the interior top to bottom.

The cabin filter shouldn't be an issue like it would on other vehicles, as (I believe) the recirculating air doesn't pass through it at all- it's for external air filtering only.

[Dackelone]

Artsee - here is the product that DD sells...


1Z einszett Klima-Cleaner - Easy To Use - ETU



http://www.detailersdomain.com/1Z-ei...ETU_p_813.html

[Artsee]

Thanks a mil folks!

I just ordered a can from http://www.detailersdomain.com/1Z-ei...ETU_p_813.html

I'll keep ya posted. I'll be shampooing the carpet as well. Now if I can only find a headliner cleaner...

[GuamX1]

same here but I got the smell out after replacing the cabin filter, placing charcoal pieces inside the car and parked it for a while with the windows a bit open under a car cover.

[MaDoNiOn]

How did it go? did it work?