Burn smell coming from front of truck.

2016 4wd Tacoma with 59k miles. Oil changes every 5k. Never had repairs. I noticed since a few weeks ago, after prolonged highway driving I smell burn rubber(?) Around the front wheels/or engine bay area. I've checked the fluids and everything looks okay. I will check to see if the rubber hose for the a/c drain mod is touching a hot metal surface. If not that, what should I check for?

 

If you have new tires, they will smell like burnt rubber after driving, for a month or so. Other than that i have no clue.

Good luck man!

 

Check engine bay and exhuast for anything that looks like it shouldn't be on there. It's very possible you ran over a bag or plastic and it's stuck and burning to something. I'm pretty sure thats what happened to me a few months back. The smell stayed around for a long time...and now it appears to be finally gone. Could be something similar in your case - just my 2cents.

 

burn smell could also be oil dripping on something hot.

Id pull the skidplate and get under there with a flashlight. might be the timing cover leak.

 

Maybe the serpentine belt is loose?

 

Auto?

 

They have about 10k miles. 4 months.

Good idea. I'll check for stuck debris or plastics.

I'll check for oil leak but I would have noticed leaks on my driveway.

Maybe? No weird noises or squeals though.

Yes auto transmission.

 

Ok, only asked because I've seen people toast their MT by accidentally resting their foot against the clutch pedal. Not an issue for the AT. Clutch plate stinks pretty bad.

 

the skid plate can be catching that stuff, or it bcould be burning off before it drips.
It definitely wouldnt hurt you to check.

 

You've got 1 thousand miles till power train warranty is up. Take it to dealer before it's too late.

 

To be honest I was thinking about this. I actually now have about 250 miles before it's up.

 

Front brakes?

 

Don't wait. Even if they can't find a leak, it'll be noted on the history before 60k. So if it happens shortly after there's a leg to stand on.

 

Is that normal?

 

Not really normal but can stink a little if they get hot.

 

it happens on the highway, but not during normal driving?

what systems on your truck are more aggressive during highway speeds and less aggressive during normal driving conditions?

tires and brakes come to mind

 

Can be. If your commute was more stop and go than usual this morning, the smell can be hot brakes. I've had that happen once or twice, usually after I had multiple unexpected breaking events in traffic. (It's on those days when "Its not me that's the asshole driver, everyone else is!" )

 

although brakes have a very distinct smell, you should be able to tell if it's brakes

 

This is not true lol like not at all. I’ve personally bought 5+ sets of brand new tires and never smelt burnt rubber. Don’t spread this mis-information.

 

Double check coolant level. There is a plastic pipe at rear of engine that connects both cylinder heads. Have read in the past about failures/leakage at that location. Pipe is difficult to see under hood but can be seen under vehicle looking above bell housing..