• Car
• Vehicle
• Burning smell
• Smell
• Damage
• Repair
• What it means
• What to do
• Mechanic
• Service

Noticing any foul or burning smell inside a vehicle is easy. However, recognizing where the smell comes from and the reason behind it can be difficult. When this happens, it definitely means that something’s worn or faulty with any of your car’s components. 

Burning smell from a vehicle is also a health hazard and should be addressed as soon as possible. It shouldn’t be ignored since you could be breathing in something toxic. 

The unusual smell can be caused by several factors.  Here’s a guide to learn different types of burning smell in cars, as well as their causes and fixes. We will also provide a few tips for proper maintenance, things you need to do and proper driving habits to avoid the same issues in the future.  

Types of Burning Smell and What They Mean

Burning Rubber 

Burning smell is never a good sign. A smell like burning rubber after driving can mean that the car engine has been running for a long time. There are several causes so it’s important to know the source so it can be addressed right away. 

Stuck Drive Belt 

Aside from the burning rubber smell,  your vehicle may also make unusual sounds knocking, squealing or loud slapping noises. When one of the accessories connected to the drive belt gets locked, this will happen. The belt will rotate on a stuck pulley causing the belt to drag which creates friction and will then smell like rubber. 

Burning rubber smell can also indicate a slipped engine belt or a hose from the power system has started melting. 

It’s best to wait for your car to cool down and open the hood to further examine your vehicle. Replace the faulty belt and check the other belts for any issues. It is recommended to check the drive belt every 6 months. Get professional help if ever you don’t know how to proceed and still unable to fix the issue. 

“Slipping” Clutch

A burning rubber or burning newspaper smell each time you shift gears can mean a clutch problem.

For manual transmission vehicles, the clutch engages and disengages the transmission system from the engine. If the clutch is released too slowly,  the clutch disc will “slip” against the flywheel which causes the burning smell.

That’s why it’s very important to master how to operate the clutch correctly. A well-treated clutch can last long. If not, you might end up replacing many parts of the clutch/transmission system and it could cost you more.  

If you think it’s a clutch problem, have the clutch checked by your mechanic to see if it is worn and needs to be replaced. 

Burning Plastic 

A Clogged or Faulty Heater

If you notice a burning plastic smell, always check the heater first. If you haven’t used the heater for a while, there may be some dust or debris build up. However, if you’ve been using the heater often and there’s still a burning plastic smell, then the vents may be clogged by debris or large particles. There could be objects stuck in the engine. 

If the heater is clean and the vents are not clogged, then the heater itself might be damaged. Some parts of the heater may have melted or the antifreeze may be leaking into the vents causing the smell of burning plastic. 

If you still notice the burning plastic smell even though the heater has no debris or dirt, take your vehicle immediately to your trusted mechanic to have it checked.  

Electrical Short

Electrical short circuits can cause a burning plastic smell too. This is due to the burning or melting plastic coatings on the wires, connections and fuses. 

It’s preferable to have it checked by a technician. They can connect your car to a computer system which can immediately identify the source of the electrical problem. 

Burning Coolant 

Leaking Coolant

If the burning smell is somewhat sweet and is coming from the AC, most likely the coolant is leaking and in your car’s cooling system is getting burned off. 

The strangely sweet scent is called Ethylene glycol. It’s a chemical substance added in antifreeze to lower the freezing temperature of the fluid. Avoid taking a whiff of this since this is harmful to health. That’s why it’s very important to have this issue fixed as soon as possible. 

You’ll need to check if your heater has any cracks that could cause the coolant to leak. Also check for any cracked or leaking head gasket or coolant hose. A leaking head gasket or coolant hose needs to be repaired. If the damage is severe, it needs to be replaced. 

Burning Oil 

If you smell burning oil then you have to stop your car right away and try investigating the problem. Although a burning oil smell is a bit complicated and might be hard to know the exact cause right away so it’s recommended to leave this job to a professional. 

Old Engine Oil

If the burning oil smell is accompanied by a blue-tinted smoke coming from the tailpipes, it’s probably due to old engine oil and an overused oil filter. 

Make it a habit to change your oil and oil filter periodically as recommended in your manual.

Engine Oil Leak

Oil can leak from your engine through cracked or broken head gaskets, hoses, and even the oil filter. The oil will then get burned off once it reaches the hot engine or other heated parts under the hood, creating that burning oil smell. 

If the oil enters the hot exhaust pipe, a white smoke may emit from the exhaust pipe.  

If you notice a burning oil smell and white exhaust smoke, try checking for the source of the leak. Or take your vehicle to the nearest auto shop immediately to avoid more damage and costly repairs.  

Improper Oil Change

If the oil change is not done properly, it could lead to excess oil dripping in the exhaust system and other components of your vehicle.  The oil will burn when the engine warms up causing the burning oil smell. 

Loose Oil Filter or Damaged Oil Plug

There could be two reasons why there is a burning oil smell accompanied by an oil puddle under the car. 

First is because of a loose oil filter. If operated under pressure or not installed properly can become loose after some time especially if you usually drive on rough roads. A loose oil filter can lead to oil spills around the engine. 

If this happens, inspect the oil filter and tighten it up. If it doesn't work then it may need to be replaced.  

Second reason is a damaged oil plug. The oil pan has a plug. If that plug gets damaged, the oil will leak into the exhaust system which causes the burning oil smell. You’ll also see puddles under the car when the car stops or is parked.  

The best thing to do is to get it checked and fixed immediately. 

Burning Carpet 

A smell of a burning carpet usually happens due to aggressive braking or overusing of your car brakes. This leads to overheating and burning of your brakes.  

Another reason may be because the caliper piston inside the brakes may have seized, causing the brakes to slide. 

You have to get your vehicle repaired immediately if this happens. Also, exercise caution when braking your car. Avoid suddenly slamming on the brakes too often. And flush the old brake fluids periodically if you want your brakes to last longer.