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Leaks & smells

Burning smell while driving

The type of smell is the diagnosis short cut. Rubber, hot oil, hot brakes and electrical burning are all distinguishable.

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Symptoms drivers describe

  • Hot, acrid smell after a drive
  • Smell of hot brakes after a hill or heavy traffic
  • Sweet or oily smell with visible smoke
  • A sharp electrical smell inside the car

Possible causes

  • A binding brake or seized caliper overheating a wheel
  • Oil leaking onto hot exhaust components
  • A slipping clutch under load
  • A slipping or misaligned auxiliary belt
  • Electrical overheating in wiring or a component

What you can do

  • Stop and check whether one wheel is far hotter than the others
  • Stop immediately for an electrical smell or any smoke inside the car
  • Do not continue a long journey to save a trip to the garage

How we check it in the workshop

We inspect for binding brakes and hub temperatures, look for oil onto hot surfaces, check the belt and clutch operation, and inspect wiring where an electrical smell is reported.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Treat electrical smells and smoke as urgent. Hot brakes and oil leaks also need prompt attention.

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Related repairs

How we can help

Brake Repairs in IverBrakes are the one system where wear should never be left to run its course. If something has changed in how your car stops, get it checked.Read more Brake Caliper ReplacementA seized caliper drags, overheats and wears one side of the car's brakes out early. It also makes the car pull under braking.Read more Engine Repairs in IverEngine faults are where guesswork gets expensive. We test, measure and read live data before anything is replaced.Read more Clutch Replacement in IverCommon signs of clutch wear can include a high or slipping pedal, judder and difficulty selecting gears. Symptoms often build up gradually, and catching them early may save the flywheel as well.Read more

Leaks & smells

Other symptoms in this group

Coolant leak or a puddle under the carColour and position tell you a lot. Coolant is usually pink, orange, blue or green and smells sweet; oil is dark and greasy.Read more Oil leak under the carOil spreads and drips away from its source, so leaks are traced by cleaning, running and inspecting rather than by looking once.Read more Smell of petrol in or around the carFuel vapour is a fire risk, so a petrol smell is one of the few symptoms worth acting on the same day.Read more

Want this looked at properly?

Send us your registration and describe the symptoms — we will tell you what the next step is.

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