How to Safely Address a Burning Smell in Your Car & How to Fix It
Throughout its lifespan, a vehicle will produce an array of different smells, some of which might indicate a more serious problem. Abnormal, foul odors emitted from any component in your vehicle would definitely give a sign that some part is malfunctioning or worn. For instance, there are multiple reasons for a burning smell from cars and these unpleasant odors spell some major troubles. Since the burning smell from the cars is also a health hazard so should be addressed as soon as possible. Sometimes these issues can be fixed by yourself but in case of a major problem it’s better to get help from professionals. If you are a car owner then it’s important for you to get complete information about it.
Read on to learn how to distinguish the different types of burning smells in cars, the cause behind the problem, and how to fix and also avoid them in the future.
Car Burning Smell
If you are driving suddenly when a warm waft that smells like something is burning hits your senses, then your car definitely has some serious problem. It will indicate that the air conditioning unit has overheated, you have a burnt out fuse, or maybe your brake pads have worn down and need replacing immediately.
It could also indicate that two parts of the car are rubbing against each other, causing a large amount of friction and heat — and should be addressed as soon as possible. Before you set off, make sure your car doesn’t overheat by having topped up all your fluids and engine coolant in the car.
In more serious examples, a burning smell could cause a fire in your car. Look out for some smoke — and exit the car immediately.
Plastic Burning Smell
The smell of burning plastic can be nauseating and cause distress — so it’s important to know its cause and how to fix it. It can mean that another part of the vehicle is melting the plastic by touching the exhaust. This can also happen if something plastic is loose in the engine and falls into a place where extreme heat is generated. However, a common cause can be brand new brake pads that haven’t been used yet or worn out ones. Should it be that they have become so thin and now they are no longer working properly, get them replaced as conveniently as possible. If they are new, then open your windows and let the fumes out — if you repeatedly lightly tap the brakes the smell should disappear in minutes.
There is plastic insulation in other parts of the car. When it’s a hot day or if this comes in contact with a hot engine — you will catch a scent of melting plastic. Over time, this could lead to a place where water can leak into — in the autumn or winter seasons causing a musty smell.
Clutch Burning Smell
At some point in life, almost every car owner has experienced this. Often happens when a driver is riding their clutch, as a result produces a distinctive burning smell — similar to burning rubber. Also caused because of over a longer period of time, when the clutch plate has suffered from prolonged periods of wear and tear. When cars are stuck on steep inclines or in slow moving traffic you can smell other cars’ burnt clutches. The smell should last only a few minutes and should only be seen by a specialist in case it continues for a longer period of time, or when changing gear you can feel the car being impacted. You may also smell a burning clutch while driving if your clutch slips out of the gear. This means that your car should be inspected by a mechanic and replaced.
Rubber Burning Smell
There are various reasons why you smell the burning smell inside a car — the aroma of burning rubber is very distinctive. It is a sign that your brakes or tires have an issue also indicates that the clutch is slipping or not working correctly. Allow the car to cool down and then check the tire pressure and tire tread. However, checking your brake pads are very important to determine where the smell of burning rubber is coming from. Often, you may also hear your brakes squeaking when there is a smell of burning rubber. To help avoid this issue stay on top of tyre safety throughout the year. In case these issues still persist then get help from a professional team.
Carpet Burning Smell
If you smell something like a burning carpet, then this usually happens if you ride the brakes hard. While, with the brakes slammed hard going down a steep hill, the excessive pressure on the brake pads might lead to a burning smell. The caliper piston could have seized, causing the brakes to drag, it might be another reason.
Solution: Due to the importance of your braking system, you must have to inspect it regularly to make sure each part is in good shape and working properly. Avoid suddenly slamming on the brakes often by driving too fast on the highway and always keeping a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front of you.
How to Fix Any Burning Smell
If you have a smelly car, then you just have to do a few simple things:
- Clean your car regularly
- If the issue persists take your vehicle to be professionally cleaned
- Remove unnecessary things/items
- Keep cleaning products and anti-bacterial wipes in the car to quickly remove any spills or dirt
- Regular maintenance checks
- If you are unsure — visit a professional team
- Use air fresheners
- Top up all your car fluids
- To get fresh air in the vehicle crack open a window
- Regularly use your air conditioning to check it works and has no issues
Get Your Car Fix With Us!
Whatever the problem and smell you find, our experienced and professional team of technicians will fix it in a reliable way. Even more, by valuing the money of the valuable customers, our services are affordable and will not cause heavy damage to your pockets. The reason behind this is that to serve the customers with the best and most reliable service is always our first priority instead of taking advantage of their situation by charging heavy amounts or adding additional charges to their bills. For your beloved car you can trust our professional mechanics who’ll make reliable solutions for your vehicle.
So, without wasting time or thinking about other options, contact us now by giving us a call at the mentioned number! Don’t hesitate to contact us, we will always be happy to serve you in need.