And that's pretty amazing - to me anyway.
Not that James, or the other people on his road trip stink (I happen to think Canadians are odorless), but I've taken enough long trips in enough vehicles to know that after a week or so on the road, some cars just start to smell bad.
Remember our Dodge Caravan? After six months it's interior reeked like cheap, leathery ass. And that Kia Rondo we had; diapers and lemons. Oh, and don't forget our 2002 M3 that smelled like a box of crayons.
What gives? Why do some cars absorb every micron of stench while other cars, like our Flex, just shed stink? Whatever Ford did, they should build that in to all their cars - and so should everyone else.
Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor @ 50,891 miles
nomercy346 says:
04:11 AM, 03/ 4/10
The crayon smell in the M3 is actually a common problem with that generation 3-series. It's the insulation in the trunk and with some cars the smell gets into the cabin as well.
Good thing the Flex stays odorless...
jackson611 says:
04:50 AM, 03/ 4/10
i knew this girl that had a Beetle that smelled of Crayons also. No matter what she did the smell was always there.
jackson611 says:
04:51 AM, 03/ 4/10
I knew this girl who's Beetle smelled of Crayons. No matter what she did the smell always stayed...
mini2009 says:
05:14 AM, 03/ 4/10
When I had a Mercedes I would always get a loaner C-class from the dealer.
They always smelled like Doritos (red ones)
My Mini smells like mildew after a good rain. Love it.
rick8365 says:
05:18 AM, 03/ 4/10
"I happen to think Canadians are odorless"
"reeked like cheap, leathery ass"
"And that Kia Rondo we had; diapers and lemons."
Thanks for the laughs to start my day!
stingray454 says:
06:13 AM, 03/ 4/10
I found a lot of German cars get that crayon smell when they get to about 3 years old or so. I've smelled it in used BMWs, VW's, Audi's, and Mercedes. Not a pleasant smell at all. The curious thing is I've ONLY smelled it in German cars - no others. Makes me wonder what the Germans are using in their interiors that no other country of origin uses.
broq3_5 says:
06:13 AM, 03/ 4/10
Every older VW and BMW (except x5, strangely) I have ever been in smelled like crayons, lol. I like it.
My car absorbs smells like a sponge - when I bring home take out I have to put it in the trunk or I will smell it the next day.
bkochuk says:
06:43 AM, 03/ 4/10
"cheap, leathery ass"
can't quite imagine what that smells like but it definitely does not sound good.
lowmilelude says:
06:59 AM, 03/ 4/10
You're correct Kurt, Canadians are odorless. That's what makes them so dangerous; they can attack downwind virtually without detection. Vigilance is crucial!
ddoouugg says:
07:16 AM, 03/ 4/10
I wonder if ozone machines actually work. They are supposed to remove smells. A car detailer should have one.
wobbly_ears says:
07:18 AM, 03/ 4/10
@lowmilelude,
If only we could get Sarah Palin back to Alaska to keep watch eyes on them Ruskies & Canucks. Them be very very sneaky, those foreign people! Real Amurricans don't like them foreigners!
bodyblue says:
07:24 AM, 03/ 4/10
Those seats look great even after all the abuse IL gives its cars. They also look so comfy....I just want to hop in for a short road trip.
wrinklebump says:
07:28 AM, 03/ 4/10
bodyblue, I was thinking the same thing.
huyracing says:
07:29 AM, 03/ 4/10
i forget what car it was but the headliner was specially designed to not absorb nasty odors or something. i want to say Nissan Cube, but it may not be right.
azggjones says:
09:12 AM, 03/ 4/10
Ozone machines do work. My Father in Law spilled fresh fish from fishing trip in the back of his brand new X5 with 3000 miles. Detailer put machine in for 24 hours and the smell was gone.
dakota03 says:
09:16 AM, 03/ 4/10
@huyracing
The Mitsubishi Lancer and Outlander have had odor eliminating headliners since their current redesign. Good idea imo.
redliner says:
10:47 AM, 03/ 4/10
My Jag has the same waxy-leathery-crayon smell. I think it comes from the chemicals they use to dye the leather.
ddkk10 says:
11:13 AM, 03/ 4/10
people have always made fun of my 3 series for smelling like crayons. at least now i know i'm not alone :-)
hybris says:
12:01 PM, 03/ 4/10
I remember this rental Chevy Aveo that my family got in Salt Lake City for the Olympics that by day two it smelled either like burned pizza or more often burned brake pad even though the brakes were fine.
audisport says:
12:16 PM, 03/ 4/10
I had a loaner 3 series once that smelled of crayons. Hilarious. I've never had an American car that smelled like anything and I've never owned Japanese so not sure about any smells there.
lmbvette says:
12:26 PM, 03/ 4/10
My buddy had a 325i that smelled like crayons...nice to know it was just him. LOL
campi3ell says:
02:03 PM, 03/ 4/10
Whatever Ford uses in their interiors, I appreciate it. I've transported dirty children from soccer practice and wet dogs in my vehicle, and didn't have any lingering odors. I've not smelled the crayon odor...lemme go check out my friend's 330i and see what you guys are talking about
drinkduff77 says:
09:18 PM, 03/ 4/10
Can't believe no one has mentioned that old Seinfeld episode...."It's the beast!"
I agree on the crayon smell in German cars...My sister-in-law had a 2001 VW Jetta that smelled horribly of crayons. I had a 2003 Jetta that didn't smell at all but mine didn't have leather like her car. I just thought it was the leather that made it smell.
stovt001 says:
08:23 AM, 03/ 5/10
I've also noticed the crayon smell in German cars, especially BMWs. I don't mind it though. I kinda like it when cars have a unique smell that reminds you of them, as long as it isn't pungent. My mom misses the smell in my sadly departed 1970 Oldsmobile. I thought it was just a combination of old man smell (bought it from the original owner) and mildew (weather stripping was shot and sometimes it does rain sideways in California) but there you go.
banhugh says:
04:30 PM, 03/ 7/10
German cows make the best leather seats but Texas steaks are the best.