Customers often ask me about air fresheners when they pick up their cars after we've cleaned the air conditioning. And do you know what they tell me? They've bought one of those little trees to hang from the mirror. For two days, the smell is so strong you can barely stand it, and then there's nothing. And the scent reminds you of a petrol station. Liquid air fresheners can be even worse. If one leaks onto your dashboard, it can leave a stain you'll never get rid of.
What makes a genuine Audi car air freshener different?
- It has a proper place to fit. It doesn't swing around on your mirror or block your view of the road.
- The scent is light and even. It doesn't hit you in the face every time you open the door.
- You only replace the refill. The air freshener itself stays in place, so you're not throwing away plastic every month.
- There's no liquid to leak out and ruin your dashboard or leather interior.
How do you fit the air freshener and change the refill?
- Choose somewhere it won't get in the way of your driving or block the airflow. Usually, that's an air vent or a holder inside the car.
- Fit the air freshener as shown in the instructions. Don't force it.
- When you notice the scent getting weaker, simply take out the old refill and put a new one in.
- If the scent is too strong, move the air freshener further away from the air vent.
Don't hang air fresheners or anything else from your rear-view mirror. They block part of your view of the road, and on modern cars, that's also where the camera for the driver assistance systems is located.
When won't an air freshener help?
If your car smells damp, you can smell coolant or something burning, or the smell is coming from the air conditioning, an air freshener won't save you. The same goes if you've got moisture under the floor mats. It'll only cover up the unpleasant smell, while the real problem stays right where it is. In my article about air conditioning I've explained how to get rid of smells coming from the evaporator. Fix the cause first, my friend. Then put an air freshener in.
Which scent should you choose for your Audi?
This one's really down to personal taste. Personally, I'd go for something light and fresh. Especially in summer, when the car's been sitting closed up in the sun. Heavy fragrances can become so overpowering that they actually wear you out. And if you carry children or someone with allergies, ask them first whether they're comfortable with the scent.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: I'll tell you what I'd do. Have your air conditioning cleaned once a year and get yourself a good-quality genuine air freshener with replaceable refills. We want your car to smell clean and fresh, not like a petrol station.
At the end of the day, it's really simple. You get into your car, it smells lovely, and the fragrance doesn't overpower you. I hope I've helped you choose. And if you've found this article useful, send it to a friend who also likes their car to smell fresh and clean.
What you'll find in our shop
Audi air freshener with replaceable refill – Design fragrance dispenser – Platinum Grey
Audi air freshener with replaceable refill, Platinum Grey.
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Audi air freshener with replaceable refill – Design fragrance dispenser – Black
Audi air freshener with replaceable refill, Black.
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Audi air freshener with replaceable refills – Yellow
Audi air freshener with replaceable refills, Yellow.
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Audi air freshener with replaceable refills – Red
Audi air freshener with replaceable refills, Red.
View in our shopRead more
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- Air conditioning servicing
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- Bad smells inside your car: air conditioning, cabin filter or air freshener?
- Small gifts for an Audi owner
Frequently asked questions
Why is a genuine Audi air freshener better?
It doesn't dangle in front of your windscreen, the scent is light and even, and when it starts to fade, you just change the refill. Best of all, there's no liquid to leak out and ruin your dashboard.
Why shouldn't I hang an air freshener from my rear-view mirror?
Because it blocks part of your view of the road. And on modern cars, the camera for the driver assistance systems is up there near the mirror too. Trust me, that's no place for things swinging about.
Will an air freshener get rid of a bad smell from the air conditioning?
No, my friend. It'll only cover it up for a little while. If the smell is coming from the air conditioning, you need to clean the evaporator and replace the cabin filter. Otherwise, the smell will keep coming back.