Keeping an eye on your car permanently is the best thing you can do. Although classic routine service is supposed to keep your Renault Megane running smoothly over time, some unexpected breakdowns can add heavily to your annual car budget. Today we’re going to look at your sense of smell, and the clues it can give you about a possible malfunction, that’s why our team has made this content to help you in the event you detect a burnt plastic smell originating from your Renault Megane . To help you check that it is nothing severe, first we will outline the different things that can generate a burnt plastic smell on your car, then, in a second step, how to discover the cause of this burnt plastic smell on your Renault Megane? .

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The different possible roots and risks of smell of burnt plastic on a Renault Megane

So we start our content page with the different possible roots of burnt plastic smell on a Renault Megane . Generally speaking, noticing a plastic or rubber smell is never a good sign. Indeed, recent cars are full of it and it could be the sign of a important malfunction. Below we will talk about the different possible origins of burnt plastic smell:

  • Transmission oil: This is the most important possible origin of such an odor. Indeed, the objective of gear or transmission oil is to lubricate the different elements of your gearbox so that all the gears and pinions are not damaged, it as well has a second objective as a temperature regulator. Nevertheless, over time, the oil will lose its efficiency and will not lubricate the auto parts and control the temperature as well, which will cause the oil to overheat and thus give off that burnt plastic smell on your Renault Megane. You risk pre-wearing your gearbox if you don’t take care of it.
  • The accessory belt: Although rarer, it is possible with wear and tear that your belt, which is principally done of rubber, will decline and no longer rotate totally on its axis. With the friction that this will cause the plastic will heat up and burn out, this reaction will create a strong smell of burnt plastic or rubber in the engine unit block of your Renault Megane.
  • Defective hose wear: This circumstance happens specifically on Renault Megane that are starting to get a few years old or that have stayed a long time without rolling. In fact, storing your car unlike what you might believe will cause the plastic auto parts to wear out more quickly. Hoses are the first to be impacted by this phenomenon. The rubber will disintegrate little by little and with the rise in heat of the fluid that circulates in it, it may melt. The risk of this issue is the breakage of the accessory belt.
  • A body component: Less general, specifically present on Renault Megane’s that have suffered a small shock. Following a front or rear impact, wheel arches, bumpers or other plastic body auto parts that may have been bent may rub against one of your wheels and give off that burnt plastic smell. This may as well pre-wear out your tyres.

How to find out where the smell of burning plastic comes from on a Renault Megane?

And now, to finish our content, we’re going to try to help you discover the origin of the smell of burnt plastic on your Renault Megane . Now that you know the different possible origins of this smell, we’ll just have to do some checks to eliminate the tracks that don’t concern you and fix your problem quickly. If your Renault Megane smells hot, don’t hesitate to browse our content on this topic.

  • Transmission oil: Nothing could be simpler, open your transmission oil cap (when cold) and check that your oil is reddish in colour and fluid enough. If you find out debris inside, and it is darker, it’s time to change it. Do not hesitate to seek advice from our content to find out how to change the gearbox oil on a Renault Megane.
  • Accessory Belt: Visually check that your accessory belt is not in poor condition, it may also produce a whistling sound if it is in poor condition. Do not hesitate to change it.
  • Hoses: For hoses, you will need to visually check all your hoses to find out if any are frayed or melted. If this is the circumstance, replace them.
  • Body auto parts: Last but not least, the last element that can cause the smell of plastic or burnt rubber on your Renault Megane, a body component, check all wheel arches, that no component rubs against

    If you have any further questions about the Renault Megane, do not hesitate to consult our Renault Megane category.