I returned home and looked down at my feet. My feet and ankles (and sandals) were covered in black soot. I tried a Google search to see if there is anything "out there" about this problem. Nada.

I recall sitting in my dealership waiting area hearing another customer explain to someone on the phone that the repair folks had told him the soot was caused by our dry hot climate in Phoenix... At the time, I thought that was ridiculous. Cars should be tested for a variety of climates and they shouldn't sell them here if our dry air causes them to dump soot on customers' feet while driving.

Then, a year later, it happened to me. I have had this car since new in 2009 and am wondering if this is something anyone else has dealt with?

Note: Ironically, I was driving home from a pedicure. So, my feet were squeaky clean when I got behind the wheel!