Anyone Else Have A Smelly Prius?

[dwilson]

My car was registered May 2009 and I bought as the second owner in August 2010. It had done 14000 miles and I suspect had been traded in about May 2010.

There was a bit of a smell inside but was told that it would be gone on delivery - but wasn't!

I think it may be that the previous owner had a dog...but as I don't have one I am not sure!

I have tried various sprays but although better I still get a slight whiff. It is only slight but I wondered if anyone else had come across this problem?

[Jan&tone]

Mine was a bit on the pongy side, but that was the stuff the dealer put on the upholstry - to keep it clean... The pong has gone now, the car is 4 months old now...

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Get it fully valeted by a recommended company.

I'd also recommend changing the cabin filter for a new one (they're about £15). It's an easy diy job but does involve the removal of the glovebox door - easy to do but don't over bend the brackets.

If none of this gets rid of the smell then you might want to look at getting an a/c service done using the anti mildew stuff. This also can be a cheap diy job if you're feeling adventurous.

If none of this sorts it then speak to the valeters about getting a odor bomb let off in the car. This should get rid of any smell but can sometimes leave a sweet after smell - which could be worse!

Good luck and let us all know how you got on.

[dwilson]

Get it fully valeted by a recommended company.

I'd also recommend changing the cabin filter for a new one (they're about £15). It's an easy diy job but does involve the removal of the glovebox door - easy to do but don't over bend the brackets.

If none of this gets rid of the smell then you might want to look at getting an a/c service done using the anti mildew stuff. This also can be a cheap diy job if you're feeling adventurous.

If none of this sorts it then speak to the valeters about getting a odor bomb let off in the car. This should get rid of any smell but can sometimes leave a sweet after smell - which could be worse!

Good luck and let us all know how you got on.

Thanks for this very detailed reply GC.

I must admit I didn't know there was such a thing as a cabin filter! Is it something that is routinely changed in a service? My car will have a 20000 mile service at a main Toyota dealer in February.

I have just bought and used Autoglym Odour Eliminator. I think it may have done the trick! :thumbsup:

David

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Glad you got it sorted.

The cabin filter is changed under routine servicing (or should be!) at either 20k or 30k miles. Make sure they do actually change it as some will just give it a look over and not change it if it doesn't look too clogged up.

[dwilson]

Glad you got it sorted.

The cabin filter is changed under routine servicing (or should be!) at either 20k or 30k miles. Make sure they do actually change it as some will just give it a look over and not change it if it doesn't look too clogged up.

Thanks - I will mention it specifically to them.

David

[Doesn'tExist]

If none of this sorts it then speak to the valeters about getting a odor bomb let off in the car. This should get rid of any smell but can sometimes leave a sweet after smell - which could be worse!

That is a top tip. My Audi Quattro was smelly, I bought a new cabin filter from eBay for 1/4 of the price from Audi, and an aircon bomb. Remove the cabin filter (aka pollen filter), left the bonnet up. Put the seats all the way forward and placed the bomb behind it in the footwell in back. Aircon on full, windows closed, trigger the bomb and close the door. Wait ten minutes, got shaken by the bomb finishing with a little bang (thought something went wrong) and installed the cabin filter, left the windows down for a further 15 minutes. That was 6 months ago and my car still smells like new.

Brilliant and easy to do.