Scary Melted Plastic Smell

[wasnt]

I drove home from the movies this evening and opened the sunroof. Half way through the ride we started smelling a very strong melted/melting plastic smell. I thought it was something we drove past. When I got home I still smelled it. When I walked around the car it was VERY strong. It was more outside than inside the car.

I did get a warning from the TPMS that said my left rear was at 26 PSI, but the tire didn't look THAT low. There were no visible signs of wear on the tire, wall included.

I am going to examine and fill the tire tomorrow and then go for a test drive. I am fairly worried about it, as the smell was very strong.

I checked the trunk and the smell was almost absent. Checked under the hood and everything looked fine but I could smell it, just not REALLY strong.

EDIT: I have ~8000 miles on the odo

 

[Alwaysforward]

Was it recently in the shop for any work? If so, check underneath the car as they might have left some of the plastic bolts off when they replaced the undercarriage panel and your panel might be dragging. Just a thought...

 

[Canuck-Ottawa]

Or a plastic bag on the road got caught by a muffler and melted?

 

[mdsbuc]

Or a plastic bag on the road got caught by a muffler and melted?

I had this happen about 10-12 years ago on an Accord. That miserable smell seemed to last for weeks. Since then I've avoided plastic bags on the roadway like the plague.

 

[TroyK]

you weren't driving with the emergency brake on...were you?

 

[Aquineas]

Hmmm keep us posted. My first thought was to think that the meltic plastic smell was related to the low tire and potentially tire damage, but melted plastic and melted rubber, but they do smell differently and are distinguishable from one another.

Regardless of what the plastic smell is, I'd verify the tire is okay with a guage.

 

[DFWGenny]

I vote plastic bag in the exhaust. Better there than getting stuck in the radiator fan.

Had that happen with my FWD caddy. Totally gritched the fan.

 

[wasnt]

Filled the tire up and then went for a drive in 100+ degree weather and NO smell. Must've been something in passing.

 

[srobak]

I wouldn't put any stock on it being the tire. Tire rubber smells distinctly different than plastic - and you would see smoke rolling off the tire as well.

 

[guybo]

You won't see any change in a tire at 26 psi. And if that was the hot pressure, you need to get that tire checked out. Jack the car up (both sides have to be up) and spin the tire and check it out or bring it to a tire shop and they will examine it. Or call AAA if you're a member and they will do it (I am a AAA guy and I get this sort of call every now and again)

I suspect the smell and tire pressure are related and it could be a plastic fender liner rubbing the tire. There's no way to be sure without getting under there and looking.

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