Burning Smell Uphill
Burning Smell Uphill
Hi,I have a 2004 Pontiac Vibe with 120k miles on it. Recently I noticed when I go up a hill with about a 500ft climb or so over a mile (maybe a steeper climb than that), there is a burning smell almost like burning rubber/tires or brakes coming in from the sunroof. I cannot smell it with the window closed and I just started opening the windows again for the season so it could have been going on for the winter. The smell disappears almost immediately after I crest the hill or stop, so quick that when I pulled over on the hill to try and find out where the smell was coming from it was about gone. A few things about the car.A few notes that may or may not be related to this problem:-Auto Tranny. It feels like it is running fine and it does not appear to be losing fluid, however I did only recently change the filter and fluid for the first time. I did this after the burning smell started. The fluid does not smell burnt.-Power Steering fluid is a little low, sitting right at the min line. I am watching it, but any leak is very slow. -I have NEVER done any work to the rear brakes. I am gentle on the brakes, but still expected to have had to do something to them at this point. I have yet to hear any noise. When I got the car inspected the mechanic said the rear brakes need to be adjusted before the next inspection. I am pretty sure they are not doing a whole lot right now.-Have used full synthetic oil, changing it regularly since I bought the car with 18k miles on it.-The car has developed an oscillating noise in the front end over the winter that I have not had checked out yet. It is most noticeable around 50mph+.-I have winter tires on the front and studded winters on the back.Any help is appreciated. I am having someone look at this, but not for another week and a half. This is driving me nuts in the meantime though. Thanks!
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star_deceiver
- Posts: 5802
- Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
- Location: Airdrie, AB
Re: Burning Smell Uphill (skistorm)
Are all the bolts tightened properly on the tranny... you might have a small leak that's getting on the exhaust when you go uphill.You should have 4 tires with studdes or 4 without... the diffrent traction levels of the two could be causing a problem.
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Re: Burning Smell Uphill (star_deceiver)
Thanks for the reply. I'm pretty sure the tranny bolts are ok because I had the filter changed since this started. I wonder if it's the tires. It really does smell like burning rubber. I had this combo last winter too and it didn't cause the problem though.