# Cigarette Smoke in Kia **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 19, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528 "2012-05-19T22:13:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rsqshlt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@rsqshlt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsqshlt)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/1 "2012-05-19T22:13:45Z")
I just purchased a 2009 Kia Rondo and the previous owners must have been smokers because when I turn on the fan for the AC or Heat I smell that awful cigarette smoke smell. How do I get rid of that besides using an air freshener which just masks it? Is there some sort of filter in the AC or Heating system that can be replaced? ---
**Author:** ![mark9207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mark9207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mark9207)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/2 "2012-05-19T23:10:47Z")
The smell of cigarette smoke is very hard to eradicate from a vehicle. That is why this can often be used as a negotiation point on the sale price. You could try spraying Febreze or something similar into your cowl vent while running the HVAC fan on high. If that doesn’t work, which it probably won’t, your best bet will be to disassemble the dashboard and HVAC vents and thoroughly clean everything. If you’re mechanically sharp, this can be done in an afternoon with basic hand tools. You will probably find dust, dirt, tar, ash, and other grime that smells of the offending odor. For what it’s worth, I feel your pain. I bought an F-150 from a smoker a couple months ago and am very tempted to do exactly what I recommend to you to get rid of the smell. ---
**Author:** ![rsqshlt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@rsqshlt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsqshlt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/3 "2012-05-20T01:00:23Z")
Thanks, Mark. That’s what I was afraid of…it’s not something simple. I guess for now I’m going to have to live with air vent fresheners since I’m not very handy with cars. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/4 "2012-05-20T01:09:34Z")
Replace your cabin filter. It is accessed through the glove box opening. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/5 "2012-05-20T01:43:01Z")
Soak two towels in white vinegar and place them in plastic containers. Place one container on the floor in the front seat and one on the floor in the back seat. Let the containers with the soaked towels remain in the vehicle until the cigarette odor is gone. Tester ---
**Author:** ![GSragtop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GSragtop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSragtop)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/6 "2012-05-20T01:58:54Z")
Yes replace your cabin air filter. That’s step one. Step two if you need it is a ionizer. Most dealers/ retailers have one. If used correctly it will kill the smell. ---
**Author:** ![rsqshlt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@rsqshlt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsqshlt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/7 "2012-05-20T04:35:10Z")
Great! I’ll try these suggestions. Thanks so much! ---
**Author:** ![rsqshlt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@rsqshlt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsqshlt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/8 "2012-05-20T17:52:04Z")
Can I spray the Ionizer onto the cabin air filter and the seats? Or are you only supposed to spray it in the air? ---
**Author:** ![GSragtop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GSragtop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSragtop)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/9 "2012-05-20T20:18:01Z")
The Ionizer is a mashine that produces ozone. Its not a spay, google it you will see what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![rsqshlt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@rsqshlt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsqshlt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/10 "2012-05-21T01:26:19Z")
Thank you. I googled it and found one for a car. I will check into it if the cabin air filter change doesn’t work. I looked at the air filter today and it was definitely dirty, so hopefully a new one will help. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![bloody\_knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@bloody\_knuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bloody_knuckles)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/11 "2012-05-21T03:50:36Z")
I don’t know how good they are but I have seen some brands of cabin air filter that also have some sort of air freshening built into them as well. Not as good as an ionizer but still worth a try based on price. ---
**Author:** ![rsqshlt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@rsqshlt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rsqshlt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cigarette-smoke-in-kia/72528/12 "2012-05-21T16:38:26Z")
Thanks. I don’t think Kia makes any scented air filters but I can always spray Febreeze or something on the filter myself if just the plain filter doesn’t work. Thanks again.