Imagine a burning smell coming from your brakes. This can be a concerning issue that needs to be solved. Ignoring this problem can lead to serious issues. This can compromise your safety on the road. You need to understand how to identify and fix the source of the smell. This helps maintain the longevity of your vehicle. In this blog, we’ll walk you through these things:
- How to Identify the Burning Smell?
- The Causes of the Burning Smell
- How to Fix the Burning Smell from the brakes?
How to Identify the Burning Smell from Brakes?
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Recognizing the Smell:
The first step in identifying a burning smell from your brakes is to pay attention to any unusual smell while driving. The smell is a strong, acrid smell that resembles burning rubber or chemicals. It might be more noticeable after braking heavily.
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Check for Smoke:
If you suspect a burning smell coming from your brakes, pull over in a safe location. Then visually inspect your wheels. Look for any signs of smoke coming from the brakes or excessive heat around the wheel area. Smoke indicates that the brakes are overheating and require immediate attention.
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Listen to Squealing or Grinding Sounds:
You may also hear squealing or grinding noises when applying the brakes. Worn brake pads can cause these sounds. So, this leads to friction and overheating, leading to the burning smell.
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Feel for Vibration or Reduced Braking Performance:
If you notice any vibration or a decrease in braking performance, it could be because of overheating brakes. Excessive heat can cause the brake rotors to warp. This leads to a pulsating sensation when braking.
7 Causes of the Burning Smell from Brakes
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Your Brakes Are Getting Too Hot
Brakes work through friction to bring your vehicle to a stop. And, friction generates heat. Sadly, overdoing it or having a heavy foot on the brakes can make them overheat.
How can you tell if too much heat is causing your brakes to smell like they’re burning? Apart from the smell, overheated brakes might also squeak a lot. You might also feel a sensation when you step on the brake pedal. Drive smoothly to avoid this problem.
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Your Brake Parts Are Brand New
If you’ve just had your brakes serviced or replaced, the new parts might be responsible for the smell. This is normal. The smell likely means the resin in your new brake pads is curing. And, this helps the material become stronger with use.
If you’ve recently changed your brake pads and you notice a burning smell, don’t worry. Just make sure your braking power doesn’t decrease. If you’re unsure, get a brake check to be on the safe side.
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You Left Your Parking Brake On
Your parking brake keeps your car motionless while parked. Forcing it to move while still engaged stresses your braking system and produces excessive heat.
Depending on how long you drove with the parking brake on, the damage might be small or severe. If you realise you’ve been driving with the parking brake engaged, take your vehicle to a nearby auto service centre for a brake examination.
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Worn Our Brake Parts
The brake pads and rotors dissipate heat through their material. When these parts wear down, their ability to dissipate heat diminishes. This generates a burning plastic smell because they heat up faster. The excess heat can then heat the brake fluid.
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Stuck Brake Caliper
A stuck brake caliper cannot release the clamping force on the brake rotor. This happens if the caliper piston is jammed. Because of this, the brakes are in constant contact with the rotors, causing heat and friction.
If your caliper is stuck, you’ll notice a drag in the wheel, a hot brake smell or smoke. The stuck caliper will also generate excessive brake dust. You’ll have to use the brake cleaner more often to tackle this issue.
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Pinched Brake Hose
The steel brake line carries the brake fluid from the master cylinder to the braking mechanism at the wheel. Where the joints move, a rubber brake hose substitutes the brake line.
If you pinch the brake hose, it may allow brake fluid pressure to enter the brake caliper. However, it prevents it from leaving. The continuous pressure being applied will keep the brake pad against the rotors, producing a burning smell.
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Stuck Wheel Cylinder
If your car has a drum brake system on the rear brakes, then a stuck wheel cylinder could be causing the burning smell. The wheel cylinder can get jammed. So, this keeps the brake shoes pressed against the brake drum.
The continuous friction keeps the heat on and can worsen in a drum brake. This is because it dissipated heat less efficiently than disc brakes.
How to Fix the Burning Smell from Brakes?
Allow Brakes to Cool Down:
Notice a burning smell coming from your brakes? The first step is to pull over and allow the brakes to cool down. Continuing to drive with overheated brakes can make the problem worse. This can damage other brake components.
Check Brake Fluid Level:
Inspect the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it is at the correct level. Low brake fluid can cause the brakes to overheat. This will produce a burning smell. If the fluid level is low, top it up with the recommended type of brake fluid for your vehicle.
Inspect Brake Pads and Rotors:
Remove the wheels to inspect the brake pads and rotors for wear and damage. Worn brake pads can cause excessive heat buildup and produce a burning smell. If the brake pads are worn down or the rotors are warped, they will need to be replaced.
Clean and Lubricate Brake Components:
Inspect the brake calipers, sliders, and hardware for any signs of rust or corrosion. Clean these components and apply a high-temperature brake lubricant to ensure the brakes operate smoothly and prevent overheating.
Test Drive and Monitor Braking Performance:
After performing the necessary repairs and maintenance, you need to take your vehicle for a test drive. This will ensure the burning smell has disappeared. Pay attention to the braking performance. If the problem persists, seek professional help from a mechanic.
Conclusion:
It is wrong to take the smell of burnt brakes as a joke. An early detection of a source of smell prevents your braking system from more severe damage. It also helps you stay safe on the roads. The continuous maintenance and inspection of your brakes are the key to preserving them and preventing overheating in the future. If you don’t know how to diagnose and repair the burnt smell of your brakes, seek a skilled mechanic’s help. He’ll provide a thorough diagnostic and repair process. Keep in mind that the main function of your brakes is to ensure safe driving.
FAQS
How do you fix the burning smell from the brakes?
Answer: To fix the burning smell from the brakes, you should allow them to cool down. Check the brake fluid level. Also, inspect brake pads and rotors for wear, and clean and lubricate brake components. Test drive to monitor braking performance.
How do I stop my brakes from smoking?
Answer: To stop your brakes from smoking, the first step is to pull over safely and allow the brakes to cool down. Check for any visible signs of smoke and address the underlying issue to prevent further damage.
Why do my brakes smell like burning?
Answer: Brakes may smell like burning because of overheating. Worn brake pads, friction material, or other components cause this. This is because of a strong smell resembling burning rubber or chemicals.
