new car smell - it lasts how long?

[oopsdy]

when I test drove a mini last fall, I noticed the smell clung to my clothes for hours after my 15 min in the car - it was intoxicating, especially since I had to turn down the "S" i had spec'd (it was parked right there and i turned it down!!!) - an awful reminder of my necessary choice-
so, how long will that lovely aroma stay once I get mine?

[cooper4us]

Don't smoke, eat or drink. Keep the interior perfectly clean at all times. Don't drive with the windows/sunroof opened often (Believe it or not this is how the new car smells vanishes the fastest and specially if you have leather seats).

Resist the temptation of putting interior air fresheners...these will only help weird/bad odors to creep up in the cockpit.

Just keep the interior clean.

[uua]

New car smell = toxic fumes from plastics and carpet. Open the windows asap.

or not.

[GordonD]

Quote:

Originally posted by uua
New car smell = toxic fumes from plastics and carpet. Open the windows asap.

or not.

Here here - unless your entire interior is covered in dead ungulates you don't want that smell.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by uua
New car smell = toxic fumes from plastics and carpet. Open the windows asap.

or not.

I think that warning applies mostly to Korean made cars

[oopsdy]

toxic plastics...that explains the intoxication

what's an ungulate?

I was thinking of driving cross-country, smoking the whole way to stay awake, and stopping only for drive thru McDonalds - this along with the moon roof open would destroy the new car aura no doubt (kidding - it will be a no smoking, no fast food-unless-ya-wanna-heave-from-the-way-i'm-driving type of car )

[Pebble]

Of or belonging to the former order Ungulata, now divided into the orders Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla and composed of the hoofed mammals such as horses, cattle, deer, swine, and elephants.

(He means if you have leather seats! )

Dead Artiodactyla, would have been more acurate, unless you have horseskin seats. Of course Artiodactyla, still leaves you with sheep and pigskin as an option, but I guess only plebs say dead bovines.

[GordonD]

Quote:

Originally posted by Pebble
Of or belonging to the former order Ungulata, now divided into the orders Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla and composed of the hoofed mammals such as horses, cattle, deer, swine, and elephants.

(He means if you have leather seats! )

Dead Artiodactyla, would have been more acurate, unless you have horseskin seats. Of course Artiodactyla, still leaves you with sheep and pigskin as an option, but I guess only plebs say dead bovines.

Any animal whose skin was not made from synthetics would do

[cooper4us]

In Germany they breed world class plastic cows.

[AprilWhine]

My Cooper still smells like new leather.

[Hat]

i still get the leather smell on my hands from the steering wheel, which is nice.

The smell is from harmless quantities of solvents & chemicals from the interior trim materials & assembly process. I used to work at a factory making car interiors & we lived with that smell constantly.

It took 6 months to get clean

[oopsdy]

bet the chicks luved it!
toxic or not, i do!

[stryder]

Here's a nice article I found today on this topic: rather disturbing. I think its very good the US cars air out while on the boat somewhat, since I know I couldn't wait to drive mine, but its still scary. http://www.sisweb.com/referenc/applnote/app-36-a.htm

[oopsdy]

wow...guess I won't be sitting in the car for more than 100 min. during midday anytime within the first years of owning the car - it is disturbing to think about - hummm - cross-country trip in warm weather might be stinky - how did you stumble across this article?

[stryder]

It was linked off a website i read often (metafilter.com to be exact) I actually imagine its gotten slightly better, especially as this was in 1995, so I don't expect to change my habits, but as my car's 10 months old, its a bit late to change anyway. Fresh air is good, I guess its incentive to pickup your car in spring so you can air it out as long as possible. Besides, there's nasty chemicals everywhere, so you have to make decisions.

(or live someplace warmer...)