fmog44

With just ordinary city driving I smell burning plastic, I thinks it's my tires. Anyone experience this. 2013 5.0 Mustang Conv.

Andy13186

how many miles on the car? I wouldnt think it would be the tires

Derf00

manual or automatic? If it's a manual, is this your first manual car? Could be you're slipping the clutch too much and burning your clutch out. Very easy to do in city driving with stop and go traffic.

Try going onto the freeway fro a short stint and pulling off but avoid using the clutch too much, see if the smell decreases, if it doesn't then I'd say tires, if it does, clutch....

BrazenStang

I highly doubt its the tires. How new is the car? Is this the first-time that the heat has been used in the car? With the cold winter we've been having I wouldn't be surprised. It can take a few heater uses to get rid of that "new plastic" smell from the heater vents and heater core.

shinerttu

If you have an automatic, and you hold down the gas pedal AND the brake pedal at the same time, you may get a burning smell and some white smoke!

fmog44

It's a 6 speed manual w/4,500 miles and I think the responses have probably nailed it with a clutch issue as I am doing a lot of stop & go driving. I'll just have to adjust my foot work. Much thanks to everyone for your help.

hootie_john

I've seen plastic grocery bags get stuck to the exhaust underneath, the resulting melt/burn stinks.

fmog44

That is exactly what I thought happened as I ran over a bag and the smell was exactly like a bag burning but it lasted too long I thought ( a couple weeks off and on). I looked but not directly under the frame and did not see anything but you can't see much from above. If it is the clutch then clutches are much more sensitive than so I drove 30 years ago. I do too much stop and go driving but the car should not act up if all is right. I launch at about 1,000 to 1,200 rpm from a stop. I have not smelled it lately so maybe all is good

Norm Peterson

Even clutches require a little "break-in" time, similar to properly "bedding in" a new set of brake pads.


Norm