What's the matter with smoke and a burning smell coming from the front of the car?
2 Answers
If there is smoke from the front of the car accompanied by a burning smell, it is recommended not to continue driving. Take the car to a repair shop or a 4S store for a detailed inspection. Smoke and a burning smell from the engine are mainly caused by excessive engine temperature, radiator failure, oil leakage, and friction of the clutch plates in the vehicle's transmission. The following are the details: 1. Excessive engine temperature: After the car is used under high-intensity overload conditions, the engine temperature will rise sharply, resulting in a large amount of white smoke and a burnt smell. In this case, the engine should be cooled down, and it should only be used again after the engine temperature returns to normal. 2. Radiator failure: If the car's radiator malfunctions, the engine will not be effectively cooled, leading to smoke. In this situation, a professional should be consulted to inspect and repair the radiator. 3. Oil leakage: Oil leakage can also cause smoke and a burning smell due to high-temperature evaporation. A comprehensive inspection is necessary in this case as well. 4. Friction of the clutch plates in the vehicle's transmission: For manual transmission models, if the accelerator is pressed hard while in a semi-engaged state, it can cause severe friction of the clutch plates, resulting in smoke and a burning smell from the engine. In this situation, it is important to drive correctly and avoid high-intensity overload usage of the vehicle.
Last time my car had this issue too, white smoke was billowing from the front hood with a strong smell of burnt rubber, which really gave me a scare. I immediately pulled over, turned off the engine, and popped the hood to find that the fan belt had come loose and was overheating from friction. When car belts age and lose tension, they’re prone to slipping, especially on hot days with the AC running, putting extra load on the engine—making it even riskier. Besides belt issues, oil leaks dripping onto hot components can also cause smoke, and a burst cooling system pipe can release steam along with a burnt water smell. Another common cause is short circuits in electrical wiring, which burns out wires—here, the smell of melted plastic is more noticeable. If you encounter this situation, never keep driving. Stop immediately, inspect the issue, and call for professional assistance. During regular maintenance, always pay attention to the condition and replacement cycles of these parts to avoid problems at high speeds.
