Why Do My Tires Smell Like Burning Rubber?

A handful of reasons can be responsible for spreading repellent odor from your tires. Generally, a burning smell should be on its way whenever a rubbery component gets exposed to high temperatures.

So, although most people think the smell is coming from the tire, it can also pop out from all sorts of car components. For example, it can be for an electric short circuit or friction in the timing belt. Sometimes, rubber hoses and clutches can be responsible for spreading a smell as well.

Should You Be Worried When Burning Rubber Smells Come from Car?

If you find a burning rubber smell coming from your car, you should not ignore it. And it is suggested to park your car in the nearest safe zone as soon as possible. After that, you should find out the source from where the problem arises. Once you find it, you must fix it immediately, no matter what. Otherwise, driving like that can have severe consequences.

Why Do My Tires Smell Like Burning Rubber?

It’s hard to tell what gave birth to the burning smell straight away. You have to turn every stone unturned to find the reason. Start by inspecting the tires. After that, move on to the hood of your vehicle. 

Leaks

If you sense your car smelling of burnt rubber while driving at a faster speed, there is a high possibility of leakages. Oil or coolant can come in contact with hot components, such as the exhaust manifold or the engine block. So, the leakage can be the reason behind the spreading of the burnt rubber odor. 

Solution

Once you find the leakage, try to repel the leak with automotive products designed for this specific task. However, if doing so fails to solve the issue, you’ll have to replace the component with a new one.  

Clutch Plate

When you are going uphill, it might be needed to ride the clutch. At that time, it generates friction. So, the clutch plate may be responsible for the burning rubber smell. 

Solution

Do not press the clutch pedal for too long. Besides, you have to engage and disengage the clutch slowly.

Faulty AC

Sometimes, a malfunctioning AC can be the source of the unpleasant odor. If your car’s AC has gone faulty, you need to replace the belt or the AC condenser.  

Solution

Troubleshooting a faulty AC is not something you should be doing on your own. Instead, you better seek help from an expert mechanic to fix things for you.

Burnt Clutch

If you love to launch controls, be aware that these can strain your clutch quite a bit, whether you own a manual or a single-clutch automatic gearbox. That happens as the clutch faces high friction during the initial launch and emits a burnt rubber smell.

Solution

To fix this issue, take it easy while accelerating. If you sense malodor already, stop driving for a bit which helps let the clutch cool down. And the odor stops spreading due to the reduced temperature.

Hot and Worn-Out Brakes

Sometimes a worn-out brake is responsible for spreading a burning rubber smell. Yet, an extreme temperature or an overall state of depletion is accountable for wearing out the brakes. Many people believe that the malodor comes from the tire. But the brakes are responsible for it as well. 

Solution

If the problem has occurred from worn-out components, you cannot but replace them. On the contrary, if it happens due to excess heat, pause for a while to cool the brakes down.

Loose Belt

Nowadays, cars come with lots of belts and chains that help multiple components to operate in a synchronized manner. And, when they get loosened, friction takes place and forms a burnt rubber smell.

Solution

If the car is shaking and shuddering while driving, it indicates the timing belt is faulty. To get rid of the smell, find out which belt is accountable. Once you find it, try to tighten it. If it cannot solve your issues, replace the belt as soon as possible. 

Burnt Hoses

Most cars come with several rubber hoses to connect various parts of the engine, the cooling system, and the brakes. When these hoses come in contact with high-temperature components, the rubbery compounds start melting and emitting a burnt rubber smell.  

Solution

As a remedy, you will either have to replace these hoses a few times or go for a hose able to withstand constant exposure to high-temperature better.

A Short-Circuit in the Electric System

Wires might get burnt out if a short circuit occurs in your vehicle’s electrical system. Generally, this short circuit happens when the system handles more load than what they are supposed to.

Solution

If a short circuit takes place, there is no other way to replace the burnt component. Yet, you can avoid such issues by giving lower pressure to the car system.

Aggressive Driving

If you tend to drive aggressively for a long time, meaning you take corners fast, accelerate or decelerate more often, and brake hard, that increases your tire temperature. And when you stop driving, you sense a burnt rubber smell.

Solution

It is suggested not to drive your car aggressively. Yet, if you already do so and sense malodor, stop for a moment to cool down the tires.

Frequently Asked Question

Is it bad when your tire smells like burnt rubber?

Malodor coming from your car is a bad thing. It is not a natural thing if you start smelling a burning rubber smell from your tire. Something must have been wrong. Either your tire or the internal properties of your car might have gone faulty, increasing the chance of accidents.

How do you get rid of the rubber smell?

Once your car gets stuck with a bad smell, it is troublesome to get rid of. But, white vinegar, baking soda, and fresh coffee grounds are excellent odor-absorbing products. Fill bowls with either of those and leave them in the affected area for a few hours.

Conclusion

There are several reasons behind spreading the burnt rubber smell. When it happens, it indicates something is wrong with your car. So, you need to find the source from where the malodor comes as soon as possible. Either cooling or replacing affected components can effectively solve such issues.