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Hey guys looking at trading in my f150 for a 00 ex but the one i like has a bad smell of cigarette smoke in the air vents. Is there a filter or anything like that I can replace or the dealer can do to fix it.??
No filter but you can set the AC to MAX (recirculate) and spray your choice of odor killer spray into the intake on the passenger side foot well. Febreeze works well.
The bulk of the smell is in the cloth and not the plastic components. A good detail job with particular attention to shampooing all cloth items (lots of soap and water to extract) will take care of the bulk of the smell. What can't be extracted will either go away with time (crack a window to let air flow and when it's parked) or you can mask/hide the smell with air fresheners or fabreeze. But choose your making agent carefully; those little tree air fresheners leave behind a stench that is pretty tough to remove should you not like it down the road.
Cowboy is right about fabrics catching the odor causing chemicals.
I rented a car in Sacramento, CA and virtually could not drive it due to the stench of cigarettes. My eyes were watering. I bought an automotive grade Odor ELIMINATOR. I'm not yelling just emphasizing the important word. I sprayed all the fabrics in the car - seats, headliner, rugs & dash - and then drove it for 2 days without a whiff of cigarette.
Fabreeze is in the class of "Eliminators" which encapsulate and lock up the odor causers. They work great, but, Fabreeze is designed for household use and not automotive. You will find the it will break down in the heat and humidity found in cars and trucks and releasing the offending chemicals again. An auotmotive grade "Eliminator" is the right choice.
Odor masks, like the Christmas Tree, seems to turn rancid after a while. Most of the back lot used cars I've bought that stink of neglect have one or more under the seat.
Meguiars makes the G2310 Odor Eliminator for your ride. It works great. You'll find it on my website under Interior Care.
Last edited by Dr. Detail; Jul 14, 2006 at 02:17 AM.
Excellent follow-up Dr. Febreeze does make an Automotive "strength Odor Eliminator but Meguiars has a better name when it comes to cars.
Now...tell me how to clean these suck-*** cloth seats that Ford puts in their vehicles nowdays. Both my 04 F-150 and 05 Excursion suffer from "stains with water" (virtually)!
Guys I don't want to sound bad or anything but it has leather and has absolutly no smell until you hit the air. But I think I am still gonna get it and try to get rid of the smell. Thanks a bunch!
I would try Meguiars Odor Eliminater on leather but I would test a hidden area first, just in case.
As for fabric --- there are sooooo many ways to soil fabrics that, I don't believe ANY one product will be sufficient. Meguiars makes a very good Carpet Cleaner G-9416 (carpet is fabric) and an All Purpose Cleaner D-10101, designed for interiors with fabric conditioners.
However, the bottom line, is buy lots and try them all. I like foam-based cleaners to avoid soaking the fabric.
Spray on and rub lightly with a clean rag. Rugged fabrics can withstand a soft brush but your interior may not. Be gentle and let the product work.