What Causes a Car to Smell Like Burning Rubber?

When your vehicle smells like burnt rubber, it signifies there's a problem that has to be fixed right away. A melting tube, a burning electrical component, or any other reason might be the source of the smell.

It's critical not to dismiss any odd or unpleasant smell, particularly if your vehicle smells like burning plastic. You'll be able to avoid the problem becoming a costly fix this way.

As soon as they smell something weird, most individuals will begin inspecting the vehicle's tyres and searching under the bonnet. They still haven't figured out what's wrong. Book your car in with a garage in Reading and allow a competent car mechanic to diagnose and repair the issue.

When an electrical component or tube melts, even a new car might smell like burnt rubber. The most essential thing is to get rid of the burning smell from your car, but first, we need to figure out what's causing it and where it's coming from.

The following could be reasons to what generates a burnt rubber smell in a car:

1.     Burning fuse

A burnt fuse might be the cause of an odd burning smell coming from a vehicle's air conditioner that disappears after a short period. The electrical fuse box is initially intended to safeguard an electrical component from overloading. The fuse may burn if the current input exceeds the fuse's maximum capacity. Any vehicle's electrical fuse box is without a doubt a crucial component. Ignoring a burning fuse, on the other hand, can be disastrous and result in a more costly car problem. Book your car with a car service near me garage if you are unsure of the location as a professional car mechanic will be able to get to the source of the problem.

2.     Melting hoses 

A car's engine relies on multiple hoses to work properly, and despite the fact that vehicle hoses are made of tough synthetic rubber, they may nevertheless melt. The hoses slacken and occasionally detach over time as the vehicle works. The hose may be on the car engine when this happens, and when the engine runs and warms up as you drive, the hose melts. When you accelerate, your vehicle may smell like burned rubber. This can also lead to an emissions test failure on your next MOT so, it is best to check MOT status of your car and have this issue resolved at your earliest convenience.

3.     Worn our drive belt

A car drive belt gives power to several sections of the vehicle, including the AC compressor, steering system, water pump, and alternator, when it is hot or worn out. Faults in any of these components can produce excessive friction by altering how a vehicle's drive belt spins. This generates heat, which may cause the drive belt to burn. Listen to the sound coming from under the bonnet to see whether your car has a problem. If it squeals, something is wrong. You'll have to get a new belt. It may sometimes be necessary to replace the entire defective portion. check MOT history of your vehicle to establish if this was an ‘advisory’ fault in the past.

4.     Oil leaks in the engine

If your car smells like burnt rubber under the bonnet, it might be due to an oil leak. You may notice oil leaks on elements like the engine's exhaust pipe if any of the seals and gaskets that keep the engine oil from leaking begin to wear out. This can also happen right after you change your oil. When the vehicle's oil plug isn't correctly tightened or the oil spills, this happens. The oil level will drop faster than usual as a result of this.

5.     Coolant leaking from the radiator

A coolant leak is analogous to an oil leak. Gaskets are also utilised to keep it sealed and prevent leaks. However, there are situations when this seal breaks, allowing coolant to flow out. Even while the fragrance isn't the same as burning oil, you'll notice the delicious and distinctive aroma emanating from the car. It may also impair the cooling system's performance. When this occurs, you should inspect your car for leaks. You could also detect some green liquid under the car or at the radiator's end.

6.     Worn-out clutch

A clutch is a device that allows a vehicle to change gears. However, if the changing isn't done correctly, causing the gears to grind, a burning smell might result. If the problem persists, you should take your car to a professional since it might be dangerous and create difficulty changing gears. If your manual car smells like burned rubber, it's time to check the clutch. It's possible that it's been burned.