Approximately 41 million people buy a used vehicle each year. Used automobiles are an affordable option for teens as well as adults, and many used cars look just as good as new cars on the outside. On the inside, however, there may be signs of wear and tear, as well as an unappealing odor. Whether the previous owner smoked in the vehicle or left behind the strong scent of drugstore cologne on the seats, the tips below can help you neutralize unwanted smells inside of your used car.

Air It Out

Vehicles at a used car dealership are not always driven regularly, which means it may have been a while since someone opened the doors or rolled down the windows of the vehicle you want to buy. If the air inside of the vehicle has a mildly unpleasant odor that isn't linked to mold or cigarette smoke, then airing out the vehicle may solve the problem. When you air out your vehicle, make sure that you:

• Open all of the windows
• Open all of the doors
• Pop the trunk
• Park the vehicle in an open space, such as a driveway or parking lot, rather than in an enclosed area 

Following the steps above helps ensure that air has a chance to circulate throughout your entire vehicle. This helps eliminate unpleasant odors because odors typically take on the form of gases, rather than solids or liquids. Gases travel by air, so the odors in your car can easily engage in diffusion with outdoor air particles and leave your vehicle.

Replace the Filters

Filters absorb impurities and keep the air inside of your vehicle clean. Sometimes the impurities are associated with odors, so replacing your vehicle's filters gets rid of the unwanted scents. When you take the vehicle in for an oil change, the technician may ask if you want a new air filter under your hood. If your filter looks dirty, then you should let the tech replace it.

You should also replace your cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Failure to do so may result in a musty odor inside of your automobile. Technicians do not always automatically check if this filter needs to be replaced, so mention it during your next inspection in case it's the root of your car's interior odor. You may also want to have the technicians check your fuel filter and emissions PVC filter during your visit.

Eliminate The Culprit

Are the removable mats stained and smelly? Do you have a half-full ashtray near your steering wheel? Sometimes it's easier to throw away foul-smelling pieces than it is to deodorize your entire vehicle. If you know that the odor is coming from a specific source, get rid of it. If you can't pinpoint the exact culprit, then you may have to clean the automobile instead. Try the following steps to get rid of the smell:

• Sprinkle baking soda on the seats and mats, then thoroughly vacuum the areas where you sprinkled the powder
• Vacuum the entire vehicle to remove odor-causing particles, such as pet dander and cigarette ashes, if you do not have any baking soda
• Wipe down the dashboard and steering wheel with a nontoxic cleanser or homemade cleaning spray, such as one made from vinegar and water

When you visit a used car dealer or a site like http://www.upicksave.com, you can find a dependable vehicle without shelling out a ton of cash. Unfortunately, your vehicle's interior may reflect the vices or dietary habits of the previous owner, and that's not something you want. There's no need to leave the dealership without a vehicle, though -- the tips above can help you replace the noxious odor in your dream car quickly, safely, and easily.