Odd smell in 2015 Prius

[TFredrickson]

Hello!

So my Prius smells like an ashtray. I do not smoke and no passengers I've ever had smoke.

We had some minor flooding in the area and I moved my car out of the water, when I got in (crawling through the hatch so water didn't get inside) I checked the floors and they were dry. I'm not sure why my car stinks so badly. Any suggestions?

Here is the amount of water it was in.

[bellaCuba]

Looks like the rain fall easily reached the bottom of the floor boards & door frames. There are drainage plugs on the undercarriage, which are usually plugged by rubber caps, so that normally water doesn't intrude but they can be removed to let water evacuate. Looks like you very well may have to steam clean the carpets at the very least. I would also check out electrical diagrams to see where, if any (there are usually a few) harnesses run through under the carpet.

Good luck with everything & I hope there's not too much damage.

[TFredrickson]

Thanks for the reply BellaCuba. I was hoping that wouldn't be the case since when I felt the floor it felt dry but, you are correct the water was over the bottom of the door opening which is why I climbed in through the back.

[bellaCuba]

I could still be wrong... but a possibility of why the reason why the carpet felt dry, there's usually padding & sometimes a plastic liner in between. The only way to tell, though, would be to pull back the carpet starting near the firewall, like under the dash or by center console. Usually the easiest to get to. It's also just as easy to put back in place there...

[TFredrickson]

So cleaning the carpets might not solve the issue if it was just the liner right?

[bellaCuba]

Steam cleaning should.... but knowing for sure the extent of water intrusion or damage, I think, is the better route. Like I stated above, there are sometimes wiring harnesses that run through under the carpet. It's such a new vehicle, I'd hate to see electrical problems arise down the road. It's just a matter of a few trim panels, if that sometimes, to take a peek under the carpet. Or have a trusted mechanic take a look at some of the wire looms. .. if applicable to your vehicle. Some cars have computer modules that sit under the front seats... idk off hand if your vehicle does or not. If you have to wind up replacing harnesses, then you might go through the insurance claim route. But always best to check sooner than later, you get me?

[TFredrickson]

Oh I got you. Its actually due in for a Toyota Care check up this weekend I think. I'll ask the technicians at the dealership to check it out for me.

[bellaCuba]

Yeah the dealership is even better.... but it literally stinks that you have to drive as is until then. Lol. Again, good luck with everything!