I was driving to work last night, I could smell something like rubber burning. Whe checking my tires. I seen nothing was wrong with them, but the smell was strong. Looking them over, I relized my rotors had been grooved and worn down. My 2008 Grand Caravan SE has only 13,633 miles on it. Mostly all highway, barly local driving if that. I am one who doesn't brake hard, yet even ride the brakes. I bought it with only 12 miles on it, new. Mid August will be 1 year, and my inspection will be due. I find it hard to think that the rotors could wear down that fast. Even to think the pads are probly worn to. I haven't heard any noise, just the smell, and the grove of the front rotors. The back seem ok, not as bad. I know fronts are used more for the stopping. could there be something causing the front to wear so fast. I had a '99 Gran Am last through 2 inspection before I needed new brakes and rotors. I also was doing the same type of driving.

Check the tires they may be rubbing against something. Drive it until you get the smell then pull over and feel the back of each tire, if its hot you know which tire is causing the problem.

If you have been (revving the car/racing/accident/excessive speeding) you will smell something similar to burning oil from the engine, also if it has been more than 10,000kms (6000 mile) since last oil change you should get it serviced.

This smell may be one of two things, first take a look at the exhaust to make sure you didnt get a plastic bag or something like that stuck on the hot exhaust and its burning off, that would cause the smell and i have seen this many times. if theres nothing on the exhaust then the next thing would be the brake . jack the car up after a drive and you smell the burning and see if the wheel spins freely, if the wheel is hard to turn then you have a brake problem in that wheel and you will need to remove it and take a look at the brakes, if the wheel spins then still remove the wheel and check for a leaking wheel cylinder as if that leaks on the hot drum and shoes it will cause a smell. and could run low on fluid or blow out and then you would loose most of the braking. good day.

water pump belt,tire rubbing the plastic cover in fender whell,
wires laying on the exhast

you may have two problems sounds like either a brake hose or caliper problem also may have play in front hub bearing

Use 2 People. 1 behind the wheel, put engine in gear, hold the brake and increase the engine speed, While the 2nd person looks st theengine torquing to see if anything rubs or the BELT is slipping.

This could be caused by two things. Your engine could be burning excess oil under strain which smells like burning rubber, and also the belt could be slipping causing the smell. The only other thing is the tires may be slipping if they are worn. This would cause very uneven wear on the tire so the last one would be very obvious.

A burning rubber smell under the hood might be just that - consider having your accessory drive belt inspected, as it is possible that a bearing in one of the accessories (alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, etc.) or in the tensioner mechanism might be failing. This sort of fault will often cause that particular accessory bearing to spin less freely than the others, and as a result the belt continues to pass over the associated pulley at the same speed as the engine. Essentially, the result is similar to a car spinning its tires on dry pavement - and a similar 'burning rubber' odor is the friction and heat of the rubberized belt.

If the odor is more like burning oil than burning rubber, the rear valve cover gasket is situated in a place that results in dripping oil, even small and unnoticable amounts, onto the exhaust manifold that is directly underneath the valve cover.

These two items might be places to start your inquiry. Best of luck to you!

Hi,

The tire noise will be due to the car needing a wheel alignment, just take it down to your local tyre dealer and they will check it for you if you are not sure.

As for the burning smell, if it's coming from the engine it could be a simple oil leak leaking onto the exhaust or could be more serious like worn rings or valve guides.

Good luck.

The sulphur smell is the result of the emmisions control system. I have an 06 Expedition with the exact same engine and emmisions system as yours. When the engine is cold, you don't smell that sulphur smell, but as soon as the engine gets to operating temperature, the exhaust gasses smell sulphury. Nothing wrong with your ride - they all do that. The dealership sometimes spray the underbody with some type of rubber to protect the vehicle against rust. This rubber stuff sometimes get sprayd on the exhaust as well and then you will smell "burning tires" after driving the vehicle. This will go away after a few thousend miles though.