One of the best parts of buying a new car is that iconic "new car smell". We cherish the odor, trying to hang on to it as long as we can before the scents of everyday life creep in and snatch it away from us. There are air fresheners that try to mimic it, but nothing can compare to the authentic fragrance.
So what exactly is the smell? Is it a material that cars are made of? A secret scent that car manufacturers spray in all of their cars to get people to want to buy them? Or is it all in our heads?
Disappointingly, it's just the smell of VOCs.
What are VOCs? Well VOC stands for volatile organic compound. Basically, they are organic chemicals that have high vapor pressure at room temperature, meaning they easily become vapors or gas. Along with carbon, they can contain a variety of elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur.
Sound familiar? Well, their are VOCs all around us. Several types of nail polish, paint, and cleaning products all emit strong chemical smells. There's a pretty clear divide between people who like the smell and can't stand it, but we all know the smell is there. It's just good old VOCs back at it again.
In cars, these compounds are found in petroleum-based solvents in plastic and vinyl. Plastic dashboards and foam seats are major culprits. Since it doesn't take and extreme temperature for these compounds to turn into vapor, on any ordinary day they float into the air and into our nostrils.
Here's the bad news. VOCs are not good for your health. They are air pollutants. So think twice before you sit in your new Chevy sniffing the dash for a few hours. As a matter of fact, many car companies are trying to eliminate the smell. By switching to water-based glues and other natural materials, automobile manufacturers hope to reduce the amount of VOCs that their consumers are breathing in. At least they're looking out for us.
So why do we like the smell so much? Well, certain gaseous chemicals give our brains a small sense of euphoria when inhaled, making them highly addictive. It's no secret that people huff paint thinner to get high. Others say that people's affinities for certain smells are highly associative. For example, I like the smell of chlorine because it reminds me of swimming pools, and I love to swim. Most likely, when it comes to new cars, it's a combination of the two. Getting a new car is always an exciting experience, and since there is an iconic smell associated with it, our brains link the excitement of our new convertible to the smell of it. It's like your mouth watering at the smell of cookies because you associate them with a delicious eating experience. Smells are powerful.
If car manufacturers continue to eliminate the VOC emitting materials they use in their vehicles, then one day the "new car smell" will be a thing of the past. If this news troubles you, I recommend taking a trip to the auto mall and sticking your nose in all of the cars that you can (keeping in mind your health of course). Who knows how much longer until this precious smell is a thing of the past.
