# an You Buy This Stuff? (New Car Smell)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-you-buy-this-stuff-new-car-smell/557322>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 16, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-you-buy-this-stuff-new-car-smell/557322 "2010-10-16T06:39:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-you-buy-this-stuff-new-car-smell/557322/1 "2010-10-16T06:39:45Z")

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I understand that GM sprays the interiors of new cars coming off the line, with a compound that enhances that “new car smell”.  
Can you buy this?  
I love the smell of all of those aromatic hydrocarbons, outgassing from the plastics and carpeting…I’m sure it isn’t good for you.  
Anyway, do they sell this stuff?

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**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-you-buy-this-stuff-new-car-smell/557322/2 "2010-10-16T07:35:25Z")

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[Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1325/what-exactly-causes-new-car-smell)

I don’t know if manufacturers add any additional scent

You can buy the a spray just google it, or go to your local auto shop. They probably make new car smell pine trees as well.

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**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-you-buy-this-stuff-new-car-smell/557322/3 "2010-10-16T08:37:20Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> I understand that GM sprays the interiors of new cars coming off the line, with a compound that enhances that “new car smell”.

you understand incorrectly. The “new car smell” is simply the normal out-gassing of the polymers used in the manufacturer of interior materials. it goes away once the volatile fractions have evaporated away.