'01 Taurus smells like burning rubber?

[kell012286]

Ok, I don't know much about cars so bare with me....

I have an '01 Taurus and when I get out after driving it smells like burning rubber. Sometimes if the windows down I can smell it also. Also, sometimes it feels like maybe the tranny is slipping? I haven't had it that long so I'm not sure whats been replaced on it and when. It has around 91k miles on it. It is due for an oil change in about 100 miles or so. I've also notice that the breaks aren't super good, they dont make noise or anything though. I have a son and am not sure if it's safe to drive with him in the car, or at all.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!!

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

You smell is probably one of two things. Either you have an oil leak that is allowing oil to get onto the exhaust and burn, or you have a brake caliper/drum that is not releasing and causing the brakes to drag all the time. When brakes are hot, they can smell like burning rubber. This might also help explain what feels like a slipping transmission.

Does your car use oil, but it's not noticeably being burned out the exhaust? Can you see oil leaking from the valve cover gaskets or elsewhere?

After a decently long drive that didn't require a lot of recent stops, walk around the car and touch the wheel or hubcap at each corner of the car. Is one noticeably hotter than the others? If so, the brakes at that wheel are probably dragging.

Depending on what you find will help determine your next course of action (fix a leak, replace brake hoses, replace parking brake cable, etc.).

-Rod