My car smells like burning rubber while driving. The smell gets stronger when I stop. What could it be?
A burning rubber smell while driving has several possible causes, some minor and some serious. If you recently had work done on the car, check that no tools, rags, or packaging were left on the engine or exhaust — these burn and produce a strong rubber smell. Check your drive belts (serpentine belt) — a slipping or misaligned belt rubs against pulleys and produces a burning rubber smell along with a squealing sound. A new serpentine belt costs 25 to 75 dollars. Check if a plastic bag got stuck to the exhaust pipe or catalytic converter — this is surprisingly common and produces a strong burning smell. If the smell comes from one wheel area, a brake caliper may be sticking, causing the brake pad to drag against the rotor continuously. Feel the wheel hubs after driving — a sticking brake will make that wheel much hotter than the others. If you smell burning rubber along with visible smoke from under the hood, pull over safely and turn off the engine — a hose may have come loose and is touching a hot surface.
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