Burning smell during break in period?

[JRB]

I have 1100 miles on my 1958. Last weekend I drove up a very steep mountain road that is 20°. The LC did fine, didn’t have to work that hard but harder than any other time before, there was a burning smell that came in through the vents and was noticeable outside of the vehicle. Has anyone else experienced this? I assume it’s just coatings that are burning off of things that just got hotter than usual. Thanks!

 

[BuzzedOnTacos]

I agree with your assessment. Happened to me in the beginning, even on first test drive with salesman. It went away pretty quick.

 

[OverlandMethod]

Yes. It's normal. It will go away eventually. Bunch of threads on this.
It's your new car's puppy smell.

 

[Norseman]

Good god yes the stink almost made me wish I hadn't got it, thank goodness it went away pretty quickly. I am at about 1500 miles and don't notice it anymore at all.

 

[Mclaren]

It goes away, took mine about 3,500 miles

 

[EOD Guy]

I too had the burning smell, I turned the heat on high and let it run for a couple hours, just a hint after that.

 

[jefkat2]

I had but went away after about 1000 miles.

 

[Altitude]

Mine too. It lasted a couple thousand miles.

I had a Mitsubishi Montero Sport back in 1997 that was the same way when new. I wonder if it’s something about how they manufacture in Japan.

 

[MSINAL]

It isnt the only new car that stinks, but it took longer than i expected to dissipate. 3500milesish for mine.

 

[misfits9095]

I’m pretty sure it’s a smell that is coming off the exhaust or turbo system. My car smelled like burning oil on the passenger side every time I went on the highway this stopped at around 2,000 miles. I am now at 4,000 miles and I still get the smell but only when I am towing and idling at a stop light. I have gone under the car and I don’t see any sort of oil leak, so I assume it’s just oil costing burning off the surface of the exhaust from manufacturing.