Removing the "Prius Smell"

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by GMAccord, Apr 2, 2015.

  1. GMAccord

    GMAccord Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
    20
    7
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My umbrella and few other items stowed in prius for some months now has a strong plastic/rubbery prius smell. How do I stop/reduce the smell at the source? There seems to be some discussion on its origin but no mention on how to reduce this. Any suggestions?
     
    #1 GMAccord, Apr 2, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,169
    50,602
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the plastics are vegetable based, so you might consider a pre emergent weed killer.
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 2, 2015
    PLSPUSH likes this.
  3. brucebee

    brucebee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    84
    11
    0
    Location:
    vista, ca
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    paraquat or ozium
     
    #3 brucebee, Apr 2, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,169
    50,602
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    prefer the ozium.
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 2, 2015
  5. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2011
    3,938
    1,351
    28
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So, Prius has a special smell?
     
    #5 Sergiospl, Apr 2, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,169
    50,602
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    mmm... avocado?
     
    #6 bisco, Apr 2, 2015
  7. brucebee

    brucebee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    84
    11
    0
    Location:
    vista, ca
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    leave the windows down, scatter baking soda , hang a tree from rearview mirror and call it good.
     
    #7 brucebee, Apr 2, 2015
  8. GMAccord

    GMAccord Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
    20
    7
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Did some more digging around. This is a mild plasticizer smell originating in the back seat battery vent. In winter when the windows are closed almost all the time causes it to be more troublesome. With summer coming it should reduce since i will be opening windows more. Also found some suggestions regarding replacing the hybrid battery vent with PVC instead of rubber. That looks beyond my capability. Happy with the car in all other way the 6 years i have been using it.

    My umbrella does smell like a new tire!
     
    #8 GMAccord, Apr 3, 2015
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,169
    50,602
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    oh, that smell. there are threads here regarding the battery vent tube smell.
     
    #9 bisco, Apr 3, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)