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The famous “new car smell” is caused by compounds released by materials used in the interior finish of vehicles. Find out where this aroma comes from and whether it is harmful to your health
The smell of a new car is one of the most striking sensations when purchasing a vehicle. It is not exactly a fresh smell, but it conveys the idea of something untouched. It represents a new beginning, an achievement. Without the smell of anyone else, a blank slate. A strengthening investment, sometimes with long installments ahead.
The origin of new car smell: chemical compounds
While it may seem like something unique and special, that distinctive new car smell is actually the result of a much less romantic chemical combination. It comes from a mix of 50 to 60 volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs.
These compounds are released into the air and even cause the formation of that oily film that is seen on the windshield new.
These VOCs aren't exactly dangerous at the concentrations you'd expect in a new car, but they're not harmless either. They have no therapeutic value and aren't aromatherapy, although they do elicit a strong olfactory response.
The good news is that they dissipate over time. On average, there is a 20% reduction in emissions per week. That’s why the new car smell doesn’t last long. It fades quickly enough that the term “new car smell” makes sense, not “old car smell.”
Industry tries to eliminate the smell
Car manufacturers, despite the fact that the smell is so famous, are trying to eliminate it. This is not because they despise the smell, but because of the chemical compounds that cause it.
The industry is looking for alternatives with fewer VOCs, such as the use of soy-based foam in seats, which emit fewer gases and have virtually no odor.
With this shift, the new-car smell may be confined to memories—or bottles of artificial fragrance. Yes, there are perfumes that try to mimic the original smell. But in this case, manufacturers aren’t bottling real VOCs; they’re reproducing the scent in a safe way. Thank goodness.
The five most common compounds in car odor
While the new car smell comes from many compounds, five VOCs are most common. They make up most of the aroma we smell when we step into a car fresh from the dealership.
Toluene: A liquid solvent extracted from petroleum. It is used in paints and glues, which are present in various parts of the vehicle. It also appears in the exhaust, as it is an agent in gasoline. Toluene is known for its use in nail polish removers.
Ethylbenzene: A flammable, colorless gas. It also comes from petroleum and coal tar. It is used in the production of paint and styrene. When it comes into contact with air, it decomposes into other elements in three to days.
styrene: A synthetic compound. It is present in many materials used in cars: rubber, coatings, carpets. Although it exists in small quantities in fruits and vegetables, its version in cars is made in a laboratory. It decomposes quickly — within one to two days after release.
Xylene: It has a sweet smell, but is highly flammable. Also extracted from tar and petroleum, it is used in the leather and rubber industries. As it is among the 30 most produced chemicals in the United States, its presence in the interior of vehicles is quite common.
Trimethylbenzene: Has a “strong, peculiar odor,” according to Toxipedia.org. It serves as a solvent, thinner, and fuel additive. It has the advantage of breaking down in sunlight, so leaving your car parked in the sun for a few days can help eliminate car odor faster.
The best solution remains fresh air
For those who don't want to wait or don't like the smell, the simplest tip is still the best: open the windows. Letting the air circulate helps to disperse the compounds more quickly and accelerate the renewal of the internal environment.
The trend is for the new car smell to become increasingly rare as the industry seeks safer materials with lower VOC emissions.
