Burning smell after accelerating - probably normal?
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,640
Likes: 4,812
From: GA
I only smell it if I "give it the beans", i.e. giving it a decent amount of throttle input and hitting over 6k RPM.
To be honest, it doesn't smell like plastic burning to me. That may seem contradictory to what I posted above, but I am familiar with the smell of a plastic bag burning (hookah smoking incident, lol).
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,640
Likes: 4,812
From: GA
OK. Maybe you burnt off those chemicals long ago then. I don't drive it like that every single time I drive - i.e., manual, S+, etc., but I do on a sorta regular basis. And I've got only a little over 1k miles, like I said.
Also, the smell does go away if you drive the car around a little before you park it. I only notice it if I have the windows open while I am driving.
Also, the smell does go away if you drive the car around a little before you park it. I only notice it if I have the windows open while I am driving.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
From: NY
I am under the impression that the Aisin 8AT unit generates more heat than other ATs due to their design scheme leads to more # of opened clutches at each gear. So it could be the smell of burned ATF which is vented out from the breather hole.
As a test, buy a bottle of Toyota ATF and heat it using a camping lighter to see whether it is the similar smell.
As a test, buy a bottle of Toyota ATF and heat it using a camping lighter to see whether it is the similar smell.
Last edited by trippleB; Mar 15, 2023 at 09:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,640
Likes: 4,812
From: GA
I am under the impression that the Aisin 8AT unit generates more heat than other ATs due to their design scheme leads to more # of opened clutches at each gear. So it could be the smell of burned ATF which is vented out from the breather hole.
As a test, buy a bottle of Toyota ATF and heat it using a camping lighter to see whether it is the similar smell.
As a test, buy a bottle of Toyota ATF and heat it using a camping lighter to see whether it is the similar smell.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 2,331
From: Florida
@arentz07 if you want when I see you in 3 weeks I’ll gladly toot in your car and you won’t have to worry about engine, exhaust, trans, etc smells for a whileeeeee. It lingers for a while in my car…
Pole Position
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 1,602
From: CA
@arentz07 if you want when I see you in 3 weeks I’ll gladly toot in your car and you won’t have to worry about engine, exhaust, trans, etc smells for a whileeeeee. It lingers for a while in my car…
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
What is the max RPM you've reached?
I only smell it if I "give it the beans", i.e. giving it a decent amount of throttle input and hitting over 6k RPM.
To be honest, it doesn't smell like plastic burning to me. That may seem contradictory to what I posted above, but I am familiar with the smell of a plastic bag burning (hookah smoking incident, lol).
I only smell it if I "give it the beans", i.e. giving it a decent amount of throttle input and hitting over 6k RPM.
To be honest, it doesn't smell like plastic burning to me. That may seem contradictory to what I posted above, but I am familiar with the smell of a plastic bag burning (hookah smoking incident, lol).
Maybe the next time you notice the smell, pull over and maybe smell around to see where it's coming from (i.e. brake area, front vent, etc). I plan to buy this car in a month or two so I'm kind of curious how common this is.
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,640
Likes: 4,812
From: GA
Well there's your answer. Beans will do that to anyone
Maybe the next time you notice the smell, pull over and maybe smell around to see where it's coming from (i.e. brake area, front vent, etc). I plan to buy this car in a month or two so I'm kind of curious how common this is.
Maybe the next time you notice the smell, pull over and maybe smell around to see where it's coming from (i.e. brake area, front vent, etc). I plan to buy this car in a month or two so I'm kind of curious how common this is.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 1,602
From: CA
I did notice it once when I pulled into the garage, but it was pretty weak at that point. It almost smelled like it was coming from the brakes or wheels, but it just sort of smelled like everywhere around the car. Maybe it was underneath the car? Either way, at this point I'll only be concerned if it keeps on occurring long term.
I always thought it was catalytic converter odors from heat. The car runs fantastic so I lose 0 sleep over it. That's what warranties are for 😁
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 262
Likes: 437
From: earth
My car still does this, even about 6600 miles in- if I drive it hard. Just smells like normal settling to me since the poor thing can't breathe too often with our crappy traffic and unrealistic speed limits of 55mph on a freeway and people driving under that at most times....
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,640
Likes: 4,812
From: GA
I gunned it a little this morning not far from home, and I did not notice any smell when I got to the garage. This might be because it is a little chilly here today (mid-30s), but also, maybe I burned it all off.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
From: NY
My car still does this, even about 6600 miles in- if I drive it hard. Just smells like normal settling to me since the poor thing can't breathe too often with our crappy traffic and unrealistic speed limits of 55mph on a freeway and people driving under that at most times....
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,640
Likes: 4,812
From: GA
I can promise you the smell I'm smelling is not reminding me of engine oil burning at all. I highly doubt a new car, let alone a Lexus IS 500, is going to burn either kind of oil unless it has been outright abused.