A fault in the electrical system of your car or truck can often present as a sudden burning rubber smell.
Smells like burning rubber outside my car.
That s most likely the smell of oil burning.
Causes of burning rubber smell in your car.
The best way to maintain a vehicle is to be keenly observant of any sudden changes or any abnormal feelings.
The odor itself will typically drift in through the ac ducts and it may not last for too long as the burnt fuse doesn t make a continuous smells like some of the other problems on this list.
Why does your car smell like burning rubber.
In other cases if the smell come from the outside of the car you will have some choices to reduce this phenomenon.
There are plastic parts in the heater the fan and other electronic devices fit into the car.
Burning oil can smell like burnt rubber.
That may heat up and release the smell of burning rubber.
Try avoiding driving over garbage to avoid this scenario.
Most times this feelings serve as the best indicators for faults or any problems to come.
When the plastic insulation has worn down or been chewed off by an animal that s gotten into the engine the exposed wires can rub together and produce a short which could cause a fire.
The answer to why you may sense a burning rubber smell in your car and not some other type of smell is because there are lots of rubber components rubber hoses and other things made out of hard rubber which may be coming into contact with extreme heat which is why your car may smell like burning rubber.
The car may have accidentally picked up pieces of garbage like plastic packets etc.
So before you take your car into your favorite mechanic to ask why it smells like death in there make sure to check under the seats.
You mentioned that there is a small leak around the belt drive so that may be the culprit.
If your car smells like burning plastic what it might be.
And the quantity of car smells like burning rubber after driving will be decreased.
1 the clutch may result from riding the clutch or needing a replacement 2 the brakes can occur from heavy break usage or riding the brakes 3 an electrical short 4 the heater may result from debris in the system or from a bad motor or 5 burning oil.
A short circuit in the wiring.
For example the deodorizer system or the ozone generator could be perfect for your car except for their expensive prices.
The smell of burning rubber inside or outside of your car may not be the only cause of the actual burning rubber when you make heavy braking in a very dry concrete or pavement but might be the cause of other problems that mimic the scent of scorching tires.
5 common areas that can cause a burning smell from your car.
Get the car checked out by your usual repairer.