That smell

[pico]

Don't shoot me, but I got a new 2011 Limited about eight months ago and have only 2,400 miles on it. Being retired in a small town means I rarely have to drive. The miles I have on it are from out-of-state drives.

The 'new car' smell that blows from the heat/air system is unpleasant and has not diminished. Sometimes my eyes water from it. It is that bad.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? What can be done?
.

[vanib]

If you have a garage leave the windows open.

Replace the cabin filter with one having baking soda e.g. FRAM® FreshBreeze | Home

Secure a box of Sodium Bicarbonate (baking sode) some where in the RAV where the smell is the strongest to try to absorb the odour.

If you have leather seats, clean them more often with vinyl cleaner. If they are cloth seats, sub some baking soda into them. Leave them for a few days and then vacuum them out.

If you have new car mats, taken them out in the sun often. Try the baking soda trick on them too.

Edit: A quick search online also shows you can use the following:citrus magic, exStink, zeolite

Your other option is to switch with my RAV. Can't say you did not try

[veliksam]

Also try passing gas as often as you can while driving, it will for sure over power the the scent of the "New car smell" :D

Sent from my HTC One X+

[crayb]

May also tilt your sunroof while parked and driving, helps with fresh air flow into the Rav.

Ray

[ronbo1313]

To absorb order, baking soda is not very good. Activated charcoal or Charcoal Briquettes in a cloth bag. link Use Charcoal Briquettes for Cheap and Non-Toxic Odor Removal

As mentioned have window open as much as possible. Takes about 2 years for new car smell to leave.

[vanib]

I wanted to recommend charcoal too but I don't think you would rub that on cloth seats. I say throw everything at it and hope for the best.

[CanuckRAV4]

Originally Posted by pico

Don't shoot me, but I got a new 2011 Limited about eight months ago and have only 2,400 miles on it. Being retired in a small town means I rarely have to drive. The miles I have on it are from out-of-state drives.

The 'new car' smell that blows from the heat/air system is unpleasant and has not diminished. Sometimes my eyes water from it. It is that bad.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? What can be done?
.

If it's a garage queen, do as Vanib said - leave the windows open.

I think certain amount if heat is needed to help accelerate the out-gassing. Simply park it in the sun and let the interior heat buildup do the work. You would want to leave the window or sunroof opens a little bit for the odorous gas to escape. You will find the out-gas also leave a film on the interior glass surface that contributes to fogging. A little more frequent glass cleaning is necessary in the beginning. Less so as the car ages.

Or find a way to bottle that 'new car' smell and sell it

[pico]

I have only one fix - the charcoal trick. The RAV lives outside. No garage. And it is Winter, so the windows and roof stay shut until Spring.

And I will look for the good cabin filter.

Thank you, everyone!

[vanib]

I suppose you have leather seats? So baking soda/vacuum will not work for you.

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by pico

I have only one fix - the charcoal trick. The RAV lives outside. No garage. And it is Winter, so the windows and roof stay shut until Spring.

And I will look for the good cabin filter.

Thank you, everyone!

This cabin air filter has both the activated charcoal and baking soda. Less than $14:

FRAM CF10285 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter : Amazon.com : Automotive