Short answer
If your car smells like something is burning, pull over safely and turn the engine off. If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out and away from the car, then call 911. With no smoke, check that the parking brake is fully released and sniff near each wheel without touching it. A sharp, hot smell at one wheel means an overheated brake. Burning oil or rubber needs a mechanic.
Safety first
Smoke plus a smell of burning, or any flames: pull over, turn the engine off, get everyone out and away from the car and traffic, and call 911. Do not open the hood if you see flames. Do not touch wheels, brakes or the exhaust after driving: they can burn you.
What to do when your car smells like burning
1Something smells like it is burning
Notice where it comes from (the hood, one wheel or inside the car) and whether it smells like oil, rubber, plastic or hot metal.
Read all the steps
- Something smells like it is burning. Notice where it comes from (the hood, one wheel or inside the car) and whether it smells like oil, rubber, plastic or hot metal.
- Pull over and turn the engine off. Hazard lights on, stop somewhere safe. If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out, move far away and call 911.
- Is the parking brake fully off?. Driving with the parking brake partly on overheats the rear brakes. Release it all the way and check that the brake light on the dash goes off.
- Hot smell at one wheel? Do not touch it. A sharp, hot smell from one wheel means that brake is overheating, often from a stuck caliper. Let it cool and have the brakes checked before driving far.
- The smell comes back? Call a mechanic. Burning oil, rubber or plastic needs a mechanic to find the source. If you see smoke, do not drive it: call a tow.
- Still not fixed? Call a mechanic Especially if: there is smoke, or the smell comes back on every drive.
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What each smell usually means
- Sharp, hot metal near a wheel: overheated brakes, from a long downhill, the parking brake left on or a stuck caliper.
- Burning oil: oil leaking onto the hot exhaust, often from a valve cover gasket, or oil spilled during an oil change.
- Burning rubber: a slipping belt, or a hose or something stuck touching hot engine parts.
- Hot plastic or electrical: a short in the wiring. Pull over and turn the engine off.
- Sweet and syrupy: hot coolant from a leak. Watch the temperature gauge.
- In a manual car, like burning paper: the clutch slipping.
What not to do
- Do not keep driving with smoke coming from anywhere.
- Do not pour water on hot brakes or a hot engine.
- Do not open the hood if you see flames: the air feeds the fire.
When to call a mechanic
- There is smoke, or the smell comes back on every drive.
- One wheel smells hot after a normal drive, without hard braking.
- You smell hot plastic or wiring.
- There are oil spots under the car or on the engine.
- The temperature gauge climbs or a warning light comes on.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my car smell like burning after driving?
Common reasons are oil dripping onto the hot exhaust, brakes that overheated or are dragging, or a slipping belt. If you see smoke, pull over and turn the engine off.
Is it normal for brakes to smell after driving downhill?
After a long, steep downhill, a short hot smell can happen. Use a lower gear next time so the engine helps slow the car. If it happens after normal driving, a brake may be sticking.
What does a burning oil smell mean?
Usually oil is leaking onto the hot exhaust, often from a valve cover gasket or a filter that was not tightened. Check the dipstick and have the leak fixed.
Can a car catch fire after smelling like burning?
It can, mainly from oil, fuel or electrical problems. That is why smoke plus a smell of burning means pull over, turn the engine off, get out and call 911.
Why does my car smell like hot plastic?
Often a wiring short or a plastic part touching something hot. Turn off the engine and have it checked before you drive again.