Why does my Mercedes-Benz or BMW smell like crayons?
If you’re purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, there are plenty of items to be aware of. The vehicle’s price, history and condition are a few items to keep an eye out for, but what about the smell? Are smells something that can be a red flag when purchasing a pre-owned model? There are many cases where smells won’t do much but distract, and there are other times when it could be something to be more concerned about. If you’ve asked yourself why your used Mercedes-Benz model smells like crayons lately and need some insight, we have answers on whether or not you should be concerned and how to get rid of it.
Test drive one of our used luxury cars – they don’t smell like crayons!
What is the melted crayon smell in my luxury car?
There are a few possible reasons why your luxury car might smell like crayons – luckily, it’s nothing to be terribly concerned over. According to a bit of research, the following items can cause your car to smell this way:
- Insulation. In cars that were manufactured before the last 5 years, it’s possible that there was insulation included in the model that gives it the smell. Especially in the hot sun, the smell can be apparent due to the release of odor from the waxy coating on the insulation.
- Actual melted crayons. We’re not trying to be funny here – if you’ve recently purchased a vehicle and smell crayons, check underneath the seats, inside consoles and in crevices to be sure there’s not a real crayon melting in your vehicle
How do I get rid of the odor in my car?
If you’re issue is with the insulation, it’s possible that contacting the company for information on how to stop it wouldn’t hurt. However, for times when you need a quick fix, there are other ways to get rid of the bad smells in your vehicle. First, try cleaning it profusely. Taking the vehicle to a professional cleaning company might be able to mask the smell with some new, fresh scent. Next, roll down the windows when it’s hot! If the smell is more potent when the weather is warm, rolling down the windows can let the unpleasant odor escape. Finally, try a natural air freshener. Mixing baking soda and water together in a container with a few holes in the top might just absorb whatever smell you’re trying to get rid of.
