You should stop driving your car as soon as you notice a burning smell and get it to an auto body shop as soon as you can.
Ignoring the smell can make the problem worse and put you and your passengers in danger.
But what’s causing the burning smell?
It could be a variety of things.
Check out this quick guide to learn about the four most common causes of a burning rubber smell in your vehicle.
1. Clutch Problems
You can tell if the burning scent is coming from your clutch because you’ll be able to smell it when you change gears.
Every time the clutch slips into the next gear, more of the clutch’s face burns off.
This burning will smell a bit more like burning paper than burning rubber. The clutch is made from a composition of the paper.
When you notice this smell, it might be time to replace the clutch.
But make sure you know how to use the clutch in the right manner. Riding the clutch can lead to this problem.
Read: HOW A CAR CLUTCH WORKS
Read More:
- 3 EASY TIPS TO DIAGNOSE A SLIPPING CLUTCH
- HOW TO BLEED A CLUTCH
- CHECKING AND REMOVING A CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER
- CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH – WORKING PRINCIPLE, MAIN PARTS ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
- SINGLE PLATE CLUTCH
- 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO IN A DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION VEHICLE
2. Brake Friction
There are a few different ways your brakes can create the smell of burning rubber when you’re driving.
For example, if you’re braking hard or dragging the brakes as you’re going downhill, you’re creating friction.
This friction can build up and make the brakes start smoking.
If this doesn’t happen often, it’s not a big deal.
Noticing this smell during your normal driving means there’s a bigger problem.
In some cases, a calliper piston inside the brakes could seize.
When this happens, your brakes will begin to drag all the time. You should address this issue right away.
Read: ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS): COMPONENTS, TYPES AND WORKING PRINCIPLE
Read More:
- AIR BRAKE SYSTEM: COMPONENTS, WORKING PRINCIPLE, AND APPLICATIONS
- DISC BRAKES: CONSTRUCTION, WORKING PRINCIPLE, TYPES, AND ROTOR MATERIALS
- HOW HYDRAULIC BRAKE WORKS?
- WHAT IS BRAKE BOOSTER? HOW BRAKE BOOSTER WORKS?
- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRUM BRAKE AND DISC BRAKE
- CHECKING AND RENEWING BRAKE CABLES
- RENEWING DRUM-BRAKE SHOES
- FITTING NEW FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSES
- ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE (EPB): COMPONENTS, WORKING PRINCIPLE, AND TYPES
- CONVERT DRUM BRAKES TO DISC BRAKES IN 3 STEPS!
- TROUBLESHOOTING A HARD BRAKE PEDAL
- WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR BRAKES LOCK UP?
- SQUEALING BRAKES AT LOW SPEED: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
- JAKE BRAKE VS. EXHAUST BRAKE: WHICH IS BETTER?
- WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRAKE SHOES AND BRAKE PADS?
3. A Motor Oil Leak
When the smell of burning rubber is the result of an oil leak, the scent will be strongest when you get out of your car after a drive.
But you’ll notice it while inside your car as well.
As the motor oil leaks, it falls on the hot exhaust.
Along with the smell, this can also create smoke and other fumes.
It is most prominent when driving up hills.
Because your exhaust gets a lot hotter as it works to push the car up the hill, the burning smell gets stronger too.
But it is the easiest to spot when you get out of the car.
Read: EXHAUST SMOKE: TYPES (BLACK, WHITE, AND BLUE) AND CAUSES
- DIESEL BLACK SMOKE: REASONS AND SOLUTIONS
- WHAT HAPPENS TO AN ENGINE WITHOUT OIL?
- THE MUST-KNOW OIL PUMP FAILURE SYMPTOMS
- CHANGE CAR OIL YOURSELF IN 4 STEPS
- CHECKING THE REAR AXLE FOR LEAKS AND CHANGING THE OIL
- HOW DOES AN OIL SUMP WORK IN YOUR CAR?
4. Electrical Short Circuit
If one of the wires in your car short circuits, it can create a burning scent.
This happens because the plastic around the fuses, connections, or wires either burn or melt.
You should never drive a car that has electrical problems.
Take your car to a professional so they can repair the problem before you drive it again.
Read: HOW CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WORK
- CHECKING AND REPLACING THE STARTER MOTOR
- CHECKING THE INSTRUMENTS
- OVERHAULING A BOSCH DISTRIBUTOR
- HOW TO CHECK AND REPLACE FUSES
- CHECKING THE HIGH-TENSION CIRCUIT
Why Does My Car Smell Like Burning Rubber?
The smell of burning rubber in your car can indicate that a rubber hose or belt under the hood has loosened.
Sometimes, a burning rubber smell could be coming from an oil or fluid leak, or even a damaged or worn out drive belt.
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