[smathwig]

I have a 2022 2SS that I recently purchased. I noticed that when I pull the wiper lever to activate the windshield washer, there is a scent that is dispensed. The scent is similar to new car smell, but a little sweeter smelling. I have looked in the manual and searched the forums here but couldn't find any mention of this. Would this be something certain dealers install? Note that I bought the car out of state and had it trucked 1500 miles to my home.

[ctrlz]

"New car smell" is outgassing products from (relatively new) plastics.
What you might be smelling is washer fluid with deicing agents added. The generic blue fluid is water plus alcohol. The pink deicing stuff (like Rain-X) contains water, alcohol, plus a small amount of ethylene glycol, which does have a sweet smell.

[smathwig]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

"New car smell" is outgassing products from (relatively new) plastics.
What you might be smelling is washer fluid with deicing agents added. The generic blue fluid is water plus alcohol. The pink deicing stuff (like Rain-X) contains water, alcohol, plus a small amount of ethylene glycol, which does have a sweet smell.

The scent is not as sweet as something like ethylene glycol, rather it is much more pleasant. The smell is noticeable immediately when the washer is activated, as if it was something was doing a quick squirt from an air freshener can.

Edit... Contacted the dealership and they said they did not install anything. Maybe it is a deicing fluid leak in the cabin...

[jp6]

I also have a '22 2SS, and I smell the same thing. I figured it's just whatever stock washer fluid they use. Mine smells like mint toothpaste.

I definitely don't think it's anything like how some luxury cars have scent dispensers.

[Linker239]

Mine also has a minty smell when I use it. I just assumed it was whatever fluid they put in it from the factory.

[ShockingZ]

Wait what? LOL You may have just reinvented the wheel here man. Imagine putting your favorite concentrated scent into the washer bottle and every time you do the sprayer you are greeted with pine or vanilla or your favorite smell. I would want fresh baked cookies@@@!

[WhiteMale]

The air intake for the ventilation is at the cowl, you're going to smell that cleaner, if it has a smell. Nothing is wrong it's just the proximity of the two.

[paradigm]

It is great smelling windshield washer fluid. Never smelled anything like it before in my 2022 1LE.

[Laststandard]

I think GM started putting in scented washer fluid recently. Never noticed it with the factory fill in my '18 SS, but was very noticeable in my '22 Colorado.

[smathwig]

Originally Posted by ShockingZ

Wait what? LOL You may have just reinvented the wheel here man. Imagine putting your favorite concentrated scent into the washer bottle and every time you do the sprayer you are greeted with pine or vanilla or your favorite smell. I would want fresh baked cookies@@@!

Well, if the wife is cleaning the outside of the kitchen window with a scented cleaner, I wouldn't expect to smell it from inside the kitchen...

[PizzzzzaForPresident]

Originally Posted by smathwig

Well, if the wife is cleaning the outside of the kitchen window with a scented cleaner, I wouldn't expect to smell it from inside the kitchen...

You've never smelled anything from the outside when you're in a car? Roadkill, skunks, smoke...nothing at all? A lot of touchless car washes use scented soap or some kind of chemical that smells sweet just like you described, and my windows are definitely not down when I can smell it.

[ShockingZ]

Originally Posted by smathwig

Well, if the wife is cleaning the outside of the kitchen window with a scented cleaner, I wouldn't expect to smell it from inside the kitchen...

There are air inlets that go through cabin air filters that go right inside the car. You'd smell it if you didnt have the a/c or heat on recirculate.

[yiweno]

You are smelling the windshield washer fluid...GM fluid uses a shit ton of methanol. You are smelling the methanol