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Stay out, Tommy!
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Smells in your car affect the way you drive!
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The RAC Foundation for Motoring in England is an independent charity established to promote the environmental, economic, mobility and safety issues relating to use of motor vehicles. The Foundation is consulted by the national Government of the UK on a wide range of transport policy issues, and is a respected voice on all issues of concern to the motorist. A recent study conducted by the foundation revealed some interesting facts about smells in your car and its' effects on you. We decided to check out the syndrome. You see, the study says that the wrong smell in a car could lead to road rage, nodding off, speeding and some very serious accidents. You may travel nowhere without an air-conditioner and may be immune from dust, noise and pollution. True. But your car carries a host of other stuff. Like take-away food, vegetables from the market, newly-shopped clothes, your car's air-freshener and not to mention your own self. All these factors contribute to your car's smells and overall ambience.
Now, the RAC study reveals that our sense of smell, more than any of our other senses has this tendency to skip the brain's logical parts and acts on the emotional systems. Sounds far-fetched? Well, imagine you decide to go on a diet, and you come across the aroma of a freshly baked pastry. You think, "Maybe I should just taste it for once and go on my diet later... " See what we mean? That's the effect your sense of smell has on you. Seeing a pastry may not influence you much. Even touching it will just lead to just soiling your hands. But it's the smell that invites you to sample a bite.
And so it is in your car. There are smells that actually relieve you of your stress. And there are smells that you would rather not have. Your air-freshener for instance. Camomile, jasmine and lavender are all used in the treatment of insomnia and could make you relax a bit too much.
If you wrapped some nice tempting food from your near-by Udipi restaurant or a McDonald joint, the emanating aromas may increase your appetite, provoking you to drive faster in an urge to get home, sit down and eat.
Driving down the country-side is pleasant with the smell of fresh grass or flowers soothing your nerves. But some drivers may find it a bit too soothing so much so that they could relax, day-dream, may accelerate to 110 - 120 kph and be blissfully unaware of it. Some perfumes and aftershaves with strong sexual associations could lead to the brain dwelling on the bedroom rather than on the road ahead.
There are some tangs that could help you though. Like peppermint, cinnamon, lemon and coffee are known to up concentration levels. New car smell, that organic solvent and cleaning product combo, also makes drivers concentrate better and generally be more careful. Briny sea air — think Marine Drive or Marina Beach — promotes deep breathing, which in turn relaxes muscles and ejects stress.
The right smells in your car has some other advantages too. There have been instances where life-long partnerships have been formed with innocuous lifts you gave your colleague home and the pleasant ambience leading to an enjoyable travel experience home. Moreover, a right-smelling car has great re-sale value.
So all this smell thing is falling into place eh... On the whole, it would help if you keep unwanted stinks out and keep your car's interiors in perfect smell. How do you do that? For starters, don't smoke in your car. Stale smoke is big put off. Exercise is great for your body. But don't drive to the jogger's park in your neighbourhood. Seating yourself on the driver's seat with a sweaty track-suit is not a very good idea.
Your dog may love the idea of a drive down the beach with his head sticking out of the window. It may break his heart, but the hair he may shed and his body odour stays on to your car's cabin for good. When kids attend nature's calls on your car seats, ensure you have it cleaned off immediately and thoroughly. The most unfortunate thing for your car would be to be flooded with rainwater. You will need to call up a professional detailer who will do a through cleaning and drying process.
A bio-friendly deodoriser and dehumidifying unit will do a world of good to your car's cabin. Even mint or cinnamon-scented freshener's great.
Dos and don'ts
Avoid eating or drinking in your car, especially wet, soggy bhelpuri or something
Vacuum-clean your car, especially grooves and crevices in your seats.
No smoking, even if you keep the windows down.
Keep a bio-friendly deodoriser in the car boot. Note the word bio-friendly. See that it doesn't contain too many heavy chemicals.
Rid your footwear sole of wet mud and slush.
Plastic mats over the original ones are great to remove and clean. Or, you could even have a throwaway mat you can dispose off after a walk on wet sand.
Don't park the car in the sun for long. Use sunshade on your glass-area if there is no other option.
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