# 2007 Toyota Camry smokes a pack a day

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-toyota-camry-smokes-a-pack-a-day/66241>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** smells\
**Created:** [July 14, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-toyota-camry-smokes-a-pack-a-day/66241 "2011-07-14T14:14:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![danielson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@danielson](https://community.cartalk.com/u/danielson)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-toyota-camry-smokes-a-pack-a-day/66241/1 "2011-07-14T14:14:39Z")

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I bought a used 2007 Toyota Camry LE a couple of years ago and every time I turn on the AC it smells like cigarettes. The interior of the car doesn’t have an odor when the AC is off. Is there anything I can do to eliminate the smell?

Thank you,

Daniel

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-toyota-camry-smokes-a-pack-a-day/66241/2 "2011-07-14T14:45:26Z")

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There are specialized aerosol products made for just this purpose, and you should be able to find them at a good auto parts store, like Napa.

However, Lysol spray might work. Turn off the A/C blower, lift the hood, and spray a fairly large amount into the HVAC intake at the base of the windshield. Be careful not to get it on the paint. Then, turn the A/C blower on and let it draw the Lysol fumes through the system. It may be necessary to repeat the process after a few days in order to thoroughly eliminate the smell.

Then, there is also another possible cause. If your car has a Cabin Air Filter (which it probably does), it is very possible that the filter is beyond filthy. These filters for the HVAC system should be changed every 1-2 years, but many folks (the ones who believe that any type of maintenance is a conspiracy to loot their wallets) decide to not replace this filter, and that is a major mistake. The previous owner may have been one of these maintenance-averse people.

In addition to an odor problem, a dirty Cabin Air Filter can exacerbate allergy problems and can actually impede air flow to the point where the windshield becomes fogged on a humid day. Your Owner’s Manual should have instructions on how to replace the filter.

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-toyota-camry-smokes-a-pack-a-day/66241/3 "2011-07-14T15:49:22Z")

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In addition to what VCD said, there are cabin filters with built in deodorizer. The Arm & Hammer product is sold through WalMart.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-toyota-camry-smokes-a-pack-a-day/66241/4 "2011-07-14T16:12:40Z")

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This car is equipped with a cabin air-filter…and it’s very easy to change. You have to open the glove compartment to access it…It might take you all of 5 minutes.