GarageGuideBurning Smell From Your Car: What It Means
A burning smell from your car is worth taking seriously, but the type of smell tells you a lot. Burning oil, burning rubber, a sweet syrupy smell, hot brakes and burning plastic each point to a different problem.
Some are minor, like a little oil dripping onto a hot exhaust after an oil change. Others, especially an electrical burning-plastic smell or any smoke, mean you should pull over right away.
When to stop driving
Pull over and turn off the engine right away if you smell burning plastic or electrical burning, see smoke from under the hood or a wheel, smell gasoline, or the temperature gauge climbs. Get out of the car if there is smoke and call for help. Do not open the hood if you see flames.
Most common causes
Burning oil
Oil leaking onto the hot exhaust or engine smells sharp and acrid, sometimes with light smoke from under the hood. Common causes are a leaking valve cover gasket, a loose oil filter or drain plug, or spilled oil after an oil change.
Sweet, syrupy smell: coolant
Coolant leaking onto hot engine parts smells sweet, like maple syrup. You may also see steam, a puddle, or the temperature gauge rising. Check the coolant level when the engine is cold.
Burning rubber
A slipping or damaged drive belt, a hose touching a hot part, or something stuck to the exhaust (like a plastic bag) can smell like burning rubber.
Hot brakes
A sharp, chemical smell near a wheel, especially after driving downhill or with the parking brake left on, often means overheated or dragging brakes. One wheel may be much hotter than the others.
Burning plastic or electrical smell
An acrid burning-plastic smell can mean an electrical short or overheating wiring. This is the most dangerous because it can lead to a fire.
Burning carpet or clutch smell (manual cars)
On a manual transmission, riding or slipping the clutch makes a strong burnt smell. Occasional is normal for new drivers; frequent means the clutch is wearing.
What you can safely check yourself
- Notice what it smells like (oil, sweet, rubber, chemical, plastic) and when it happens (after braking, after an oil change, when the A/C or heater is on).
- Watch the temperature gauge and look for warning lights.
- Once parked and the engine has cooled, look under the hood for oil or coolant on the engine or exhaust, a damaged belt, or anything melted or stuck to the exhaust.
- Check the coolant and oil levels with the engine cold.
- Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
When to call a mechanic
See a mechanic if the smell returns after you have driven a few days, if you find an oil or coolant leak, if a wheel runs hot, or for any electrical smell. A shop can find a leak or a short before it becomes a bigger problem.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my car smell like burning electrical or plastic?
A sharp burning-plastic or electrical smell can be a melting wire, a shorted accessory, a failing blower motor or blower resistor, or an overheating fuse or connector. Turn off the heater and accessories, and if the smell stays or you see smoke, pull over and turn the car off. Have the wiring checked before driving much more.
Why does my car smell like burning rubber?
A burning rubber smell often comes from a slipping or rubbing drive belt, a hose touching the hot exhaust, or a plastic bag stuck to the exhaust under the car. It can also come from a dragging brake. Look under the hood and under the car once it has cooled.
Why does my car smell like burning after an oil change?
Often a little oil was spilled on the engine or exhaust and is burning off. It should fade after a few drives. If it continues, the filter or drain plug may be loose or leaking.
What does a sweet burning smell mean?
A sweet, syrupy smell usually means coolant is leaking onto hot engine parts. Check the coolant level when cold and watch for overheating.
Is a burning smell from my car dangerous?
It can be. An electrical burning-plastic smell, smoke, or a fuel smell means stop driving right away. A brief smell from new brakes or spilled oil is usually not dangerous.
Why do my brakes smell like burning?
Brakes can overheat on long downhill drives, if the parking brake was left on, or if a caliper is sticking. If it happens on normal drives, have the brakes checked.
Related problems
Seeing a warning light? See what each dashboard light means.