Sporadic New Car Smell

[Edspy14]

Has anyone else experienced a sporadic "new car smell" coming out of the AC?

I just hit 4,000 miles, and even though the persistent new car smell disappeared around three weeks ago, I still get a super potent yet random whiff of it through the vents.

 

[Natesriv]

condensation perhaps....maybe water sitting on new pipes/plastic. Like when you buy a new plastic bottle and the first time you use it, it tastes funny... outgassing...

Either that or there's a mildew/mold which smells good

There's lots of tricks on google about disinfecting the a/c system when it begins to stank!...you have the opposite problem

 

[ahtoxa]

I experience a sporadic ass smell occasionally. I notice it happens more often after a meal.

 

[pvirga88]

I get a new smell sporadically, but only after Taco Bell.. LOL

 

[attrapereves]

I bought my white Sonic in October. It still smells like a new car. My black Sonic was bought in August and lost the new car smell after a month or two. Weird...

 

[biged83]

Bought mine used still has the smell

 

[bsg5698]

My Deep Magenta 2014 Sonic Hatchback is back at the dealers after a 1700 miles road trip because of a TERRIBLE coolant/antifreeze stench coming from vent when the AC is on. It appears to occur after driving 30 to 40 miles so I can only assume it is when the engine gets hot?? Also, it gets worse passing and going up hills. The air conditioning can not be used bc the smell is so strong. Of course the service dept. manager states he can't replication the smell. I refused to take the car back until it is fixed or they can give me another car. In the meantime I'm driving one of their loaners. Any suggestions I can pass on to the service dept. manager would be appreciated.

 

[rsSteve]

My Deep Magenta 2014 Sonic Hatchback is back at the dealers after a 1700 miles road trip because of a TERRIBLE coolant/antifreeze stench coming from vent when the AC is on. It appears to occur after driving 30 to 40 miles so I can only assume it is when the engine gets hot?? Also, it gets worse passing and going up hills. The air conditioning can not be used bc the smell is so strong. Of course the service dept. manager states he is having replication the smell. I refused to take the car back until it is fixed or they can give me another car. In the meantime I'm driving one of their loaners. Any suggestions I can pass on to the service dept. manager would be appreciated.

I get a funny smell too but it is only when I first kick on the AC for about 20-30 sec than it goes away and doesnt come back until I turn it back on. It never lingers though nor come back no matter how long I have it on for.

 

[jsp872]

i get a weird smell in my car when i turn on the AC as well,
it's only for about 20 seconds or so,
my car is 3 years old and 30K miles on it

 

[KlassKlown]

yeah same here, I used to get K&N filter oil until I tubed the filter behind the fog light. Now A/C gives a warm burst of air initially and a few seconds later no smell

 

[EndlessSea]

I've been getting a strange smell in my car off and on also. not sure what it is. ive heard of A/C drain tubes being plugged up causing a moldy/funky smell but idk for sure

 

[ChevySanic]

I still get the new car smell every once in a while 15k miles later lol. I don't mind it.

 

[MarkS]

Bought a leftover 2013 in January and the new car smell was strong. It is diminishing.

When first turned on the AC smells a lot like the AC in the 95 Saturn I traded. But the Saturn AC didn't smell when new. Hmmm

 

[bsg5698]

I FINALLY got the assistant Service Manager to drive WITH me and he could smell the pungent odor coming from the vents! I'm not crazy! It happened twice in 15 mins. He thought it was a coolant smell and the heater coil was replaced (I was told NOT an easy task). Well within 2 miles of the dealership the SMELL was back! Yes it is a quick puff of the stench every 5 to 10 mins. and dissipates quickly. No jokes please....the smell burns my nose and it could be hazardous to my health and my passengers.

 

[hammrdwn510]

gremlins?