New cars smell like nothing else, and we tend to love it because it means "new" in contrast to the smelly cars we drive that have been a bit lived in. But what makes that smell, and what does it do to us? SciShow explains the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that make a new car smell so fresh and expensive. Yeah, we associate this smell with the joy of a new car, but it's probably better to let your new car off-gas as quickly as possible with the windows open. It still may take a long time for that new car smell to wear off, if that's what you want- just don't think you are getting rid of the VOCs by covering them up with other smells. Still, considering we don't spend all our time in the car, you shouldn't worry too much about those VOCs. It might be a little different if you are a new car dealer or otherwise work with cars that just came off the assembly line.