Getting rid of cigarette smoke smell in Car

[GeorgeG.]

does that vehicle have a cabin filter?

[IHaveAMustang]

does that vehicle have a cabin filter?

Yes, in the front under the glove box somewhere.

I'd be changing that out as well as taking all the floor mats out and scrubbing/cleaning them with a rug doctor. It's the stuff that has to stay inside the car that I am worried about.

[mustngacman]

Might try one of these. I have an Ionic Breeze you can have but I am in Carrollton.
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-EL2022-Ionic-Air-Purifier/dp/B0009PSJ22/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367862155&sr=8-3&keywords=vehicle+air+purifier[/ame]

[S_K]

Ozone only works on mold and biological odors. Tobacco leaves a slightly oily film. Use a good cleaner/degreaser (like a mixture of windex and alcohol) and wipe down every surface. Use a leather conditioner afterwards. Febreeze everything you can't wipe down. Change your cabin air filter. Leave the windows down as much as possible. Expect to have to do this several times. The smell will come back.

[GeorgeG.]

I would also soak the carpet pad with a pet stain/urine odor remover. It leaves a baby powder scent but that's better that smoke.

[fredfarmer]

I had the same issue on my FJ. Previous owner smoked in it, but not that much...

Pour some unused coffee grounds into a tupperware bowl or something, leave it in the car for a while. They absorb the most obnoxious odors and do not leave it smelling like coffee!

Tried it, did not work for me.

I read cutting a fresh apple in half and leaving the pieces in the car works very well.

Yep, that did the trick. I cut up an apple and put it in there over night. I waited a week and did the same thing again. Anyone that rides with me now cannot tell that the previous owner smoked in it and it even has a cigarette burn in the passenger seat.

Interesting to hear about the ozone generator not working for this issue. I always thought that was what the dealers used on vehicles with this problem...

[Buick355]

Let me in the backseat after a few days of camping. It'll smell like balls taint and ass for days.

[BradM]

Let me in the backseat after a few days of camping. It'll smell like balls taint and ass for days.

I wish I'd never let you stay in my van!

[Buick355]

I wish I'd never let you stay in my van!

Shouldn't have left it down by the river!

[Lone Star Performance]

AutoGeek sells Smoke Bombs. Clean every interior surface very well with a upholstery stem cleaner and put a smoke bomb in the car to neutralize and destroy the smoke smell. The Dakota? I think brands are good

[crapstang]

Just go mexican craigslist style and armorall the shit out of everything, and put air fresheners everywhere.

[ceyko]

Febreeze works pretty good. I haven't specifically tried it with cig smoke but it works well with other odors.

It does work well. I did exactly this when I quit smoking and my wife did it in my BIL's truck when he went to jail and we had to sell it.

Basically as mentioned, clean interior and spray febreeze and air it out for awhile. It may take a few tries, but it's not really hard and eventually it's just gone.

Now, if there is cigarette smoke stains - that may require shampooing and all that jazz. Not fun. Still doable, with effort at minimal cost.

[S_K]

Interesting to hear about the ozone generator not working for this issue. I always thought that was what the dealers used on vehicles with this problem...

Ozone generators do two things.
1. They create an electrostatic charge that attracts particles FLOATING in the air. Once the particles are stuck to a surface, they don't help that much.
2. They remove oxygen from the air. In a closed environment they can kill mold and mildew. They do a good job on biological odors such as flood damage, pet odors, fast food spills, kid's throw up, etc.

[Gtracer]

Fat sack of weed and a Peach cigarillo should do the trick. Side effect is a nice, cool pine scent with a hint of peach.

[Rreemo]

Dryer sheets do good in the heat of the summer, and as crazy as it sounds...a few brand new tennis balls fresh out of the can will bring back as close to new car smell as you will find.....