There are several different odors that may indicate a problem with your engine or the inner workings of your car. You may find that you smell something that’s similar to burnt rubber, or something that smells like smoke. These two types of odors are indicative of problems within the car. Let’s take a look at what these two smells can be caused by.
Burning Rubber
If you smell burning rubber while you are driving, it is likely that the issue is with your brakes. This smell is very unpleasant and it’s noticeable to anyone who is in the vehicle. You will want to address the smell immediately once you catch a whiff of it.
The culprit in the situation is that your brake pads are being worn down. This is a sign that it might be time to check on the integrity of your brake system. You’ll want to bring your car in for a brake check at your local auto repair shop as soon as possible if you begin smelling burning rubber when driving.
Your mechanic will more than likely replace your brake pads. This is because this smell occurs when the brake pads are worn down due to overuse. It is fairly easy to fix this problem.
All that you have to do is make a trip to your mechanic so that he can replace the brake pads. You will find that once the brake pads are replaced, the smell goes away. Your car will return to its once pristine condition after the brake pads are replaced.
Smoke
You may smell an odor that smells like smoke or mild burning. This odor often has something to do with the oil. You may smell something that smells less like burnt rubber and more like metal smoking.
This is a fairly easy problem to solve. The majority of the time, this smell is due to the oil being low. This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
Oil is absolutely imperative to keep your engine running smoothly. You need an adequate store of oil in order to make sure that your engine does not combust. Should you smell this smoking metal smell, you need to pull over immediately and replace the oil in your tank.
You may purchase oil from a local gas station or convenience store. Consult your vehicle’s manual if you aren’t sure which oil is needed. You will also need a funnel in order to pour the oil into the proper terminal within the engine. At this point, you can pour the oil through the funnel and into the oil reservoir.
You will want to check the oil level in order to make sure that the oil is not filled too much. You don’t want the oil to overflow and take over the engine. You should be sure that the oil is at the proper level, not too high and not too low.
The best way to prevent low oil problems is to have a regular oil change at your local auto shop.
Pay Attention to Engine Smells
Overall, it is important that you pay attention to the smells that your engine is emanating. You will find that this is crucial in order to ensure the safety of your engine. Smells of burnt rubber are indicative of a need to replace your brake pads, while smells of metal smoking are indicative of a need to refill your oil. Doing everything right and still having trouble with your vehicle? Come by Reliable Automotive at one of our San Marcos, Buda, or Kyle auto shops and have one of our experts perform engine diagnostics to help get your vehicle back in working condition.
