Burning Smell

What's happening

Most likely causes

1. 1

   Oil leaking onto the exhaust

   The classic. A valve cover or oil pan leak drips onto the hot exhaust and smokes.

2. 2

   Burning rubber from a slipping belt

   A seized pulley or worn belt smells like burning rubber.

3. 3

   Dragging brake

   A stuck caliper overheats the pad; you'll smell it at one wheel.

4. 4

   Electrical short

   Burning plastic smell with possible smoke. Pull over immediately.

5. 5

   Clutch slipping (manual)

   Burning paper-like smell when the clutch slips under load.

How to diagnose it — in order

1. 1

   Identify the smell: oily, rubbery, sweet, or plastic/electrical.

2. 2

   Pop the hood and look for smoke wisps; trace them to the source.

3. 3

   Check oil level; a leak big enough to smell usually shows on the dipstick.

4. 4

   Sniff at each wheel after a drive to isolate a dragging brake.

5. 5

   Any electrical burning smell: pull over, shut off, and inspect before driving on.