Flat Towing - Rubber Smell

[kickingaz]

I have had several Jeeps and noticed on my '14 JKUR, '18 JLUR, and '22 JLUR 392, there is a faint smell of what I can only describe as burning or hot rubber when I start the Jeep after being towed. I also had a JTRD and dod not notice it with this vehicle. Has anyone else noticed this and, if so, what is this?

Sponsored

 

[Al G]

I get the same smell from my 2020. It goes away after a few minutes.

 

[kickingaz]

I get the same smell from my 2020. It goes away after a few minutes.

I agree, it does go away. I just always wondered what that was - LOL.

 

[andy29847]

The smell is the junk off the road burning up as the engine and radiator heat up.

 

[VKSheridan]

Mine does the same.

It smells like a hot alternator belt or heat wrap getting scorched off the exhaust. The best I can guess is road debris that otherwise would be bounced off the hot exhaust gets stuck to it since it’s cold and then takes it’s beating once things get hot.

 

[NWJeepr]

The smell is the junk off the road burning up as the engine and radiator heat up.

Yep, it's this.

It's a lot worse when there's wet conditions and a lot of road spray from the motorhome was thrown at/under the Jeep. I noticed the Jeep also collects soot particles from the motorhome's exhaust, that's another part of it.

 

[rsmith56]

Yep, mine does the same thing being flat towed behind motohome. It is worse in dry climate, (less rain to wash rubber, etc off pavement?)

Never noticed it flat two behind my pickup.

Sponsored