Rental car smoking

[TreySC]

I feel like this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find anything on it. I'm going to have solo 12 hour drive Saturday and a few stogies feel like a great to help pass the time. Any tips, tricks, or products that will keep the smell to minimum for when I return the car?

[Nature]

I don't think I would risk it. Those rental car smoking penalties can be steep. Seems like whenever I smoke in my car, with all of the windows down and holding the cigar near the window, I think I'm good. The next time I get in, especially if it has sat in the sun, it still smells like cigars.


I have used Zep Smoke Odor Eliminator with pretty good results, but it still smells like you are trying to cover something up for awhile afterward.

[Emperor Zurg]

Seems like whenever I smoke in my car, with all of the windows down and holding the cigar near the window, I think I'm good. The next time I get in, especially if it has sat in the sun, it still smells like cigars.

Same here. Nothing seems to be able to combat cigar smoke. I've smoked a cigar or two in the shop truck (vinyl seat and floor mat and metal everything else - no fabric or headliner) with all the windows down. Walking by the truck, sitting in the shop the next day I smell obvious cigar smoke.

[TreySC]

you may be right @Nature I just thought I had seen something before about this and there was some success. May have been at the old place. Maybe I'll just bring a few small ones and find a rest stop about half way to stretch my legs a bit.

[FidelCastro]

Unless you have an extra $250 for the penalty it's hard to disguise the aroma. I rent cars all the time and one needs at least a few days to mask the scent.

[droy1958]

you may be right @Nature I just thought I had seen something before about this and there was some success. May have been at the old place. Maybe I'll just bring a few small ones and find a rest stop about half way to stretch my legs a bit.

Just hide the vehicle and tell them it was stolen. What could be more simple?.....

[projectsunfire]

I would definitely not take the risk. A few years ago when I still smoked cigs I took a non-smoking co-workers company car for the week he was on vacation. I only smoked a few times in the car during the week and made sure I did not at all for the last few days. Then a got the interior detailed. When he got it back he immediately said WTF you smoked in my car? I would think that cigar smoke would be far worse to cover up.

[Tombstone]

Once you pop a cars cigar cherry its done. You can try to mask it but to the non Botl or Sotl they will know in a second. Not a tactic I would try but I heard Cigar Coop interview a guy who had a suggestion. Get the car then go back to the rental desk and complain of smoke smell right away. When you return it with a new aroma its already documented that it smelled. If they call bs on it your stuck with the bill. Can't you rent a Harley or something?

[TreySC]

I guess you guys are right, not worth it. Maybe I'll stop around Knoxville for lunch you busy Saturday @jhedrick83 ?

[Nature]

.... Not a tactic I would try but I heard Cigar Coop interview a guy who had a suggestion. Get the car then go back to the rental desk and complain of smoke smell right away. When you return it with a new aroma its already documented that it smelled....

Yeah, then they go back on the prior renter to try to extract the smoking fee from them. Hertz charges $400!