Smoking in Car Thread

[Caymus]

I love smoking cigars in my car. I'm on the road a lot for work, so when I've had my last appointment for the day and have a 1+ hour drive to another city, I love getting a Starbucks and lighting up a cigar for the drive. Heck, it's one of the few places left where I can smoke indoors ! I find I can really enjoy the aromas and flavors more inside, and it makes the drive enjoyable and gives me something to look forward to at the end of the day.

Just last week I handed down my beloved, faithful, and trusty 2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited with 250,000 miles. Never had a problem with it, never left me stranded or wouldn't start, 20 MPG even today, best car I ever had. Driving so frequently for work and using it as a mobile office, dining room, and dump truck tends to break in the interior. I spilled many a coffee, dropped several stinky ashtrays worth of cigar ashes onto the console and floor, food, drinks, trips to the dump, Lowes, spilled bags of topsoil, etc, etc...it all would end up somewhere and it didn't matter. I'd take it to a good carwash, clean it up, vacuum, spray some Febreeze and it was ready to pick my boss up at the airport or out on a date with my wife.
There's a certain freedom to having a paid-off car with lots of miles. If it got scratched, soiled, or cluttered, no big deal. (remarkably, there were few scratches on it...people can't believe how old it is and how many miles are on it).

So I gave it to my newly-licensed daughter...couldn't stand the thought of trading it in...and I got myself a 2008 Toyota Highlander limited with just 49,000 miles, Toyota Certified, etc. It's beautiful. Infact, it's too nice. I've had it for two weeks and haven't smoked yet and am afraid I'm going to spill my coffee. Washed it twice already. I dont' like this feeling !

Here are some things I do:


[LIST]
Turn vents to "vent" outside air, not recirculate
Only turn floorboard vents on with A/C, turn off dash vents.
Crack open passenger windshield to vent smoke (i can smell the cigar better this way as compared to opening driver's side, for whatever reason)
I bought a Xikar cup holder portable ash tray, but haven't used it much.
Febreeze works pretty well for freshening up the carpeted floors
It's the ashes that fall that make it smell the next day, not the smoke, so I try to clean up all the fallen ashes at the end of the day
Travel with 2 Cigar Caddies, but try not to leave them in the car when it's hot
Have bought more small cigars (5x38 or petite coronas) for short trips or running around town


What tips, advice, stories, pleasures or suggestions do you all have about smoking cigars in your car ?

[Bill86]

I don't go through too much hassle. My cars are leases that are inspected before they are turned in. I've smoked in every one of them, no one has ever noticed or mentioned it.

Floorboard vents, drivers window cracked (for ashing too) and the opposite backseat window opened. Toss an air freshener in there and it's all good.

[levrac68]

Only smoke in my friends Jeep. Wouldn't do it to my car. :D

[icehog3]

Smoke in my truck most anytime I am alone or with BOTL(s) and have a trip of 30 minutes or longer.

[Ogre]

I don't smoke in my truck. Have been tempted many a time. This thread is going to start the thoughts again.

[CRIMPS]

Never have, but have always considered it.

Nice to hear about your 4runner experience since the wifey just brought home a new one.

[357]

Anyone use a ionizer to kill the stale smoke smell?

You can find them pretty cheap on Amazon. I know the big household ones work well on killing odors in a room. They are not smoke filters nor purifiers per se but I know they work well for deodorization. Just curious about which automotive/12V models work well.

[fhrblig]

I smoke in my Ranger more than anywhere else. I don't smoke cigars in my house, so it has to be there. I don't mind that my truck smells like a herf, but I don't want my house to.

[Powers]

I've smoked in my car several times going to and from cigar events/herfs. Although I haven't made a regular habit of it, I've had zero problem with smell the next day as long as little to no ash falls and I've got the windows cracked. :tu

I haven't smoked much while driving on the interstate though, mainly just around town. Do y'all smoke in the car differently while driving at higher speeds? :hm

[Bill86]

Do y'all smoke in the car differently while driving at higher speeds? :hm

Nope. I find it easier on the interstate. No stopping, every ~20 minutes look over and tip the ash out the window.

Just recently drove 5 hours (320 miles) and had no problem smoking the whole way there and back.

[CigarNut]

I smoked in my convertible (before I sold it) and I occasionally smoke in my Highlander (when I have a longish trip). I have several ashtrays that fit in the cup holders or hang on the door. I also usually precut my cigars when I am planning to smoke in the car.

I open the sunroof as a vent when I smoke in the highlander, lower the rear windows and driver's window a few inches and I have the fan blowing high onto the floor.

That's about all I can think of for now...

[Powers]

Nope. I find it easier on the interstate. No stopping, every ~20 minutes look over and tip the ash out the window.

Just recently drove 5 hours (320 miles) and had no problem smoking the whole way there and back.

I will put this to the test on my next trip back home :D

[Nathan]

I love smoking in my vehicle, it makes long rides much more enjoyable. I don't worry or care about the smell though. Roll down the window and try to avoid ashing all over and I'm good.

I have a 99 4Runner win 213k that is still going well!

[jdakine]

Yeah, I smoke in the car when I go to Hana to visit my wife's Thai Food stand. Dannyboy and myself made the trip out there yesterday and had a blast. For those of you that have driven this road, know it takes 2 to 3 hours one way and it's all of about 50 miles.
It takes 2 to 3 days for me to get the smell out of the car.

[Savor the Stick]

Anyone use a ionizer to kill the stale smoke smell?

You can find them pretty cheap on Amazon. I know the big household ones work well on killing odors in a room. They are not smoke filters nor purifiers per se but I know they work well for deodorization. Just curious about which automotive/12V models work well.

Yes I have used an Ionizer with good success. Pug it in at the end of the day and by morning all I smell in the van is clean interior.

[Stinky]

yes, of course, I smoke in my truck(s). Have 2 Toyota pickups. One loaded 2001 "S-Runner" and a 1994 basic Toyota pickup with a camper shell. Set the A/C or vent to "outside air" and crack the driver's window. Works for me.

As for a car ashtray, I haven't had one until recently. Designed a new Stinky Cigar-Car Ashtray earlier this year. They just arrived! Sent one of the prototypes to Snake Byte to "road test".

See?

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11785&stc=1&d=1336804502

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11784&stc=1&d=1336804397

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11786&stc=1&d=1336804623

[MoTheMan]

Yes, I smoke in my car all the time . . . been doing it for years.

Used to use an Ozonizer for years, and it worked fine.

Then I was introduced to the EcoQuest system Living Air Ozonizing System for the home . . . and after that I discovered the EcoQuest Living Air To Go which you can use in your car, or take with you on trips for your hotel room or even an office that you may be using while travelling. It's small, but powerful AND effective.

When I got my car new in November, I broke her in with a cigar on the 3rd day and turned on the Ozonizer after.

Seems to work best for me after I smoke a cigar and finish with it, I roll up the windows, turn on the ventilation and the Fresh Air To Go, and let the air freshen. Takes about 15-20 min and the car will smell new again . . . no kidding, it works that well.

The unit retails in the $250 range if you buy it directly from a licensed vendor or EcoQuest, but you can find it 40%-50% cheaper from e-bay. [I bought mine for under $130.] If you do buy it from ebay and the unit needs repair (which the company will do for you, or replace it), do not tell the company that you bought it from ebay, insetead tell them it ewas either a gift or from a vendor (whose name you forgot), and they will honor the warranty.

Been very happy to use mine when driving, and on road trips!!

Hope this helps . . . and here're a coupla' pics to see what it looks like!!

Happy smokes!!

[MoTheMan]

yes, of course, I smoke in my truck(s). Have 2 Toyota pickups. One loaded 2001 "S-Runner" and a 1994 basic Toyota pickup with a camper shell. Set the A/C or vent to "outside air" and crack the driver's window. Works for me.

As for a car ashtray, I haven't had one until recently. Designed a new Stinky Cigar-Car Ashtray earlier this year. They just arrived! Sent one of the prototypes to Snake Byte to "road test".

See?

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11785&stc=1&d=1336804502

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11784&stc=1&d=1336804397

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11786&stc=1&d=1336804623

Stinky, it's good to see you here, my friend!! :banger

[NeuRon]

subscribed.. my car is turning into a smokehouse, lol.. but i barely care.. i love it!

[kelmac07]

I drive an hour and 10 minutes to work each way...and I don't smoke in my car. Wondering why the hell am I wasting the valuable time not enjoying a stick. :confused:

[maninblack]

I smoke all the time in my Jeep Wrangler. She's my work vehicle anyways and isn't a show truck. Smells like an old whore but I love it. It's a lot easier when the top is off.

[papichulo]

I smoke in my 94 4runner when it is running. My son is changing the heads on it as I type.

[RCS44]

I smoke in my jeep all the time. Short trips or long trips, either way it doesn't matter. I always have the drivers side window cracked and passenger open too. Not my amenities so i don't worry about putting vents or anything else on. The windows do just fine.

[mkarnold1]

I smoke in my jeep all the time as well. The only time I don't is when I'm going to work, but always on the way home from work. Only the window down to vent a little and an ashtray on the center console. I like that my ride is stinky, it dissuades others from borrowing it.

[CigarNut]

One thing I forgot to say about smoking in the car: never leave stogies or ashes in the car... Get rid of them as soon as possible!

[irratebass]

I have smoked a few times in my car.....lot of maintenance on the stick for my preference (watching the ash, making sure it stays lit) Kind of of a hassle, but I am not opposed to trying again :D

[Islayphile]

I smoke in my car every morning...if the smell gets too bad I spray some Gonesmoke in there and it gets rid of it quite well.

Keeping a small cup full of crushed coffee beans in the car also seems to help keep the smoke smell down.

[czerbe]

I smoke in my car and I just keep the windows open and spray from time to time and it seems to work pretty well, but I don't mind the day old smell to much

[Crownedone]

I have just started smoking in my truck on my recent trip back from NC. Not sure how I feel about it as of yet. It seemed to be just a bit distracting....I will try it again on some long trips in the near future.

[Ciro]

Unfortunately I only have the one car and it transports kids all over for soccer games. I smoked once on a long trip and will not do it again; even with all the products I used it took almost a month to get the smell out. The kids kept complaining about the smell.

Should have made them get out and walk. :r

[Sonic04GT]

Never ever smoke in my car, but I also try to avoid eating in there too. She's too purdy to deserve that.

http://www.lolzilla.net/images/78238260923415498707.jpg

However, I did see an old lady next to me at the stoplight last night smoking a cigarette with her windows up and dog in the backseat. :td

[Islayphile]

Unfortunately I only have the one car and it transports kids all over for soccer games. I smoked once on a long trip and will not do it again; even with all the products I used it took almost a month to get the smell out. The kids kept complaining about the smell.

Should have made them get out and walk. :r

My ol' man would've told me to get out and get a job so I could buy my own damn car.

:D

[icehog3]

Never ever smoke in my car, but I also try to avoid eating in there too. She's too purdy to deserve that.



My truck is so purdy she DOES deserve that. ;)

[mosesbotbol]

In my car's owner's manual, the ashtray is called a "Cigar Ashtray" and is really flat like one would want for cigars. I haven't had a chance to smoke in it yet, but plan on smoking in it like every other car I have owned. In the end, if it's not all the time; they car does not smell of cigars.

[Don Fernando]

I do not smoke in my car. Unlike most of you, I drive a stick shift car and I don't have a hand free to hold the cigar all the time and I hate keeping a cigar between my lips. Secondly I want to give a cigar the attention it deserves and I can't do that while driving on the busy Dutch roads, I would not enjoy the cigar at all so I don't smoke.

[lenguamor]

Here are some things I do:


[LIST]
Turn vents to "vent" outside air, not recirculate
Only turn floorboard vents on with A/C, turn off dash vents.
Crack open passenger windshield to vent smoke (i can smell the cigar better this way as compared to opening driver's side, for whatever reason)
I bought a Xikar cup holder portable ash tray, but haven't used it much.
Febreeze works pretty well for freshening up the carpeted floors
It's the ashes that fall that make it smell the next day, not the smoke, so I try to clean up all the fallen ashes at the end of the day
Travel with 2 Cigar Caddies, but try not to leave them in the car when it's hot
Have bought more small cigars (5x38 or petite coronas) for short trips or running around town


What tips, advice, stories, pleasures or suggestions do you all have about smoking cigars in your car ?

All good tips.

I have an '89 300ZX which I've owned since '96; I've probably smoked close to a thousand cigars in it, and you couldn't tell that I smoked at all if you sat in it right now.

[lenguamor]

I think the most important key is to crack the windows; passenger's side works best, but if you have back windows crack them too.

Do that and the smoke doesn't stay in the car long enough to permeate anything. I ash out the window and toss the nub wherever I stop. Since it's all-leaf, unlike a cigarette which has that paper on it that would survive a nuclear winter, I usually just disintegrate it over foliage and let it go back to nature.

[oooo35980]

I smoke all the time in the car, especially on the interstate when the wife is driving. Open the sunroof and the smoke goes right up and out.

[Jasonw560]

I need the dash vents here, with summer coming up. Other than that, all good tips.

I left ashes in my Jeep, last time I did it. About a week with bakng soda in an old coke zero can, and it was all good.

Just got my Xikar portable ash can. That should help with the ash problem.

[TJtorpedo]

Drove a moving truck up the East Coast once, and smoked like hell in it for two days straight! My car is a stick though, and I'm not the best multi-tasker!

[fsjonsey]

During the warm months, I smoke in my 1962 Corvair all the time. 60's cars were made for smoking. There is a small ashtray on each armrest and a larger one on the top of the dash above the radio. The wing windows and cowl vents quickly blow any residual smoke out, and the vinyl upholstery is more or less impervious to cigar odor. In the winter, I occasionally smoke in my Subaru Outback, though I keep the front drivers window and rear passenger window open. It establishes a cross breeze that quickly pulls smoke out of the car. If it's cold out, I'll crank the heat up and turn on the heated seats. Never, ever, set your vehicle's climate control to recirculate while smoking. Smoke will precipitate in the ducting and cabin air filter and you'll never get the smell out.

[CigarNut]

It looks like Stinky has a new ashtray for cars:

http://www.stinkycigar.com/images/detailed/0/Cigar-Car_Ashtray_QI.jpg

I have to say I am intrigued and will pick one up and give it a try. If they work out I might even stock a few :)

[mosesbotbol]

It looks like Stinky has a new ashtray for cars:

http://www.stinkycigar.com/images/detailed/0/Cigar-Car_Ashtray_QI.jpg

I have to say I am intrigued and will pick one up and give it a try. If they work out I might even stock a few :)

Wow, looks awesome. I have seen a cheaper looking version on the same theme.

[skullnrose]

The Stinky ashtray looks nice but I could not give up my Bobken ashtray http://www.pipesandcigars.com/asboseexcias.html Clips between the window and the door holds the cigar perfectly and allows smoke to go out the cracked window.Just don't try and get out and close the door with a cigar resting in the holder unless you're watching to make sure it doesn't wind up on your seat learned the hard way.

[357]

Yes I have used an Ionizer with good success. Pug it in at the end of the day and by morning all I smell in the van is clean interior.


Thanks, exactly what I was hoping to hear.

I drive an hour and 10 minutes to work each way...and I don't smoke in my car. Wondering why the hell am I wasting the valuable time not enjoying a stick. :confused:

I was thinking the same thing. I drive 38 miles each way. It takes about an hour give or take, depending on traffic. My car is new to me, 20K miles. I want to baby it, but if I can smoke in it without the permanent stale smoke smell that the wife and kids hate, that would be best.

[CigarNut]

The Stinky ashtray looks nice but I could not give up my Bobken ashtray http://www.pipesandcigars.com/asboseexcias.html Clips between the window and the door holds the cigar perfectly and allows smoke to go out the cracked window.Just don't try and get out and close the door with a cigar resting in the holder unless you're watching to make sure it doesn't wind up on your seat learned the hard way.
I use a Bobken now (I have three of them) and as long as you have a larger ring gauge cigar it's fine. It also does not work as well for when the cigar gets shorter than the holder.

[saigon68]

My neighbor leased a Honda. He too loves to smoke cigars while driving. When he turned the truck in they hit him for a $200 detail fee.

[MajorCaptSilly]

I don't smoke in the car often but have a Bobken ashtray and an Ozone air purifier for when I do. My best results for cleaning the air come from running the air purifier for about 30 min after I get home with the windows up. It cleans up almost all the residual odor.

MCS

[MajorCaptSilly]

My neighbor leased a Honda. He too loves to smoke cigars while driving. When he turned the truck in they hit him for a $200 detail fee.

Small price to pay. They probably would have issued the fee for something else if it wasn't for the cigars.

MCS

[whodeeni]

I drive an hour and 10 minutes to work each way...and I don't smoke in my car. Wondering why the hell am I wasting the valuable time not enjoying a stick. :confused:

Yeah Mac, what's your problem?:sl

[Caymus]

Well I christened the new Highlander while on a 4 hour drive to Jacksonville FL. I enjoyed a nice Diamond Crown Robusto #3 with a large (i refuse to say "venti") Pike Place. I had the sunroof open a bit and the smoke went right out. Of course I dropped some ashes on the floor, but shook them out, and the next morning it had that nice cigar aroma. Tomorrow I'll smoke something else on the way to Savannah....already looking forward to it !
Some good tips...going to see if I can find a good deal on that Ecoquest fresh air to go !

[Fia]

Put a coule dryer sheets under your car seat helps too.

[chaase321]

Alright gents, I have been following this thread closely since it opened, although I haven't commented yet. I have a couple questions as I would really REALLY like to smoke in my car on road trips. Problem is, I have a brand new car, and I car pool with co-workers (business casual dress) to work. I don't really want the car to smell bad, and I don't want them to smell like smoke when they go to work...I won't be smoking in it during the week.

My questions:
I read that Ionizers do not really "clean" the air, but simply mask it with an air freshener...thoughts?
Is a car ozone generator better for cleaning the smoke in the air...or is it simply better for mold and other pollutions in the air?

Basically, I'm gonna follow what the consensus is here:
-Open the car vents to outside air
-Only use floor vents
-Open driver and back passenger windows
-Use an air freshener as needed
-Take out ashes and nubs immediately when finished
-And either use an ionizer or ozone generator (which ever you all think is best)

I really want to smoke, but I am worried about the smell for others that will ride in it.
Thanks all!

[lenguamor]

I don't smoke in the car with non-smoking passengers. Ever.

No matter how much they tell you they don't mind, they will. And that's how cigar smokers end up getting lumped in with cigarette smokers, who light up anywhere without consideration.

When I'm alone in the car or with another cigar smoker, it's all good.

[FNA]

I am always surprised at how many cigar smokers don't like the smell of where cigars are smoked.

To me it smells like "Cigars can be smoked here!"

I smoke in the car, I smoke on the bike (well, up to around 55mph, after that mostly just clenching cigar in teeth waiting to go slow enough to smoke again.)

[Jefft72]

When I travel to Austin for work I like to enjoy a cigar coming and going. I find it very relaxing and can really take the cigar in and enjoy the flavors. On one of those trips I got in late and left the cup with ashes in the car. The next morning it was terrible to get into and took several weeks to air out. One of those Xikar in car ashcans looks really nice, but the event could have been easily avoided.

Anyhow, thumbs up to smoking in the vehicle.

[Caymus]

Yeah, it's the ashes in the car that make it smell bad. Shake out the floor mats, make sure you get the ashes out at the end of your drive.

[357]

My questions:
I read that Ionizers do not really "clean" the air, but simply mask it with an air freshener...thoughts?
Is a car ozone generator better for cleaning the smoke in the air...or is it simply better for mold and other pollutions in the air?



Ozone generators/Ionizers/De-Ionizers will kill odor. They claim to clean the air, but that is hotly debated. What isn't debated is their ability to kill odor. They will remove all odor, new-car smell, smoke, anything. Fresh rain smell is that of ozone created by friction of the raindrops falling through the air. That is the only thing you'll smell in a room/car that has had one running in it for a while. Ionizers are not good at actively cleaning the air, for example while someone is smoking. It won't hurt to run it then, but it'll do a good job to kill the odors after the fact. It's not good for you to sit in an unvented room or car with an ozone generator running. High concentrations breathed can be bad for you. If you get a sore throat from it, vent more, or just set it to run after you get out of the car.

My earlier question was to the effectiveness of the very small 12V versions our there sold for automotive use. I know the larger home/120v AC models work well for de-odorizing. I just want something I can use in the car. I'll update this thread once I pick one up and test it out.

[chaase321]

Ozone generators/Ionizers/De-Ionizers will kill odor. They claim to clean the air, but that is hotly debated. What isn't debated is their ability to kill odor. They will remove all odor, new-car smell, smoke, anything. Fresh rain smell is that of ozone created by friction of the raindrops falling through the air. That is the only thing you'll smell in a room/car that has had one running in it for a while. Ionizers are not good at actively cleaning the air, for example while someone is smoking. It won't hurt to run it then, but it'll do a good job to kill the odors after the fact. It's not good for you to sit in an unvented room or car with an ozone generator running. High concentrations breathed can be bad for you. If you get a sore throat from it, vent more, or just set it to run after you get out of the car.

My earlier question was to the effectiveness of the very small 12V versions our there sold for automotive use. I know the larger home/120v AC models work well for de-odorizing. I just want something I can use in the car. I'll update this thread once I pick one up and test it out.

Thanks for the info Mike. The small 12V model is what I was looking for as well. I think I may pick up the ionizer tonight and use it along with an air freshener at the end of the trip. Let me know what you find out when you pick one up.

[area51]

I haven't smoke in my car. I was tempted to yesterday but resisted.

[irratebass]

I smoked on the way in this morning....a Roxy Habano :Wo now to see how the car smells on the way home
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/irratebass/Cigars/be27636b.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/irratebass/Cigars/5be13637.jpg

[CigarNut]

Taking pics inside the car while driving on the highway -- remind me not to be around while you are driving :)

[357]

Taking pics inside the car while driving on the highway -- remind me not to be around while you are driving :)

He's got a hand on the wheel. :sh