Smell when driving up hill

[enigma99a]

My 2021 now has 2500 miles on it. I've taken it on long trips (4 hours Hwy driving) and haven't noticed anything. However, last several times I have driven it up the hill (freeway) and stop the truck, if you have the windows down you get a burning (break-in?) smell. It's not the brakes because it's a gradual incline up.

All the temp meters always look good. But it's always repeatable when you go up I-80 here in California. Also, I'm not driving overly hard, 65-75MPH.

Also not towing, in 2WD, no load in bed either

Thanks

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[gtotco]

Our mountain house is near the top of a pretty steep pass and whenever we get up there and I open the doors it has a pretty strong smell. I always just assumed it was the exhaust heating up.

Our 2017 CR-V does the same thing and it’s been going like that for almost 5 years…

 

[imnuts]

What does the burning smell like? Paper, oil, chemicals, etc.? May help narrow down where it is coming from and if it is something to be concerned with or not. Also, do you notice if you're using boost if it is not a 5.0L engine when going up the hill?

 

[gtotco]

What does the burning smell like? Paper, oil, chemicals, etc.? May help narrow down where it is coming from and if it is something to be concerned with or not. Also, do you notice if you're using boost if it is not a 5.0L engine when going up the hill?

I would say "hot metal" is the best description of it which is why I always assumed it was the exhaust system, though thinking through it more it may come more from under the hood. It's the same sort of smell with both vehicles.

It is in boost pretty much the whole way (3.5L ecoboost), I think the pass climbs about 1300 feet over about 6 miles (plus a bit more climb before that) at around 55-60mph. Oil temp and transmission temp are always both fine. It's definitely more noticeable if I have a trailer.

 

[imnuts]

If you can, try to drive gently at slow speed (~30-40) for 3-5 min once you get to the top and see if the smell is still there. Or let the vehicle idle for a minute or two if that's an option. It could be the turbos being hot from running for an extended time and going gently will give them some time to cool and avoid cooking the oil in them.

 

[gtotco]

If you can, try to drive gently at slow speed (~30-40) for 3-5 min once you get to the top and see if the smell is still there. Or let the vehicle idle for a minute or two if that's an option. It could be the turbos being hot from running for an extended time and going gently will give them some time to cool and avoid cooking the oil in them.

Thanks! I’ll give them some time to cook down after I get to the house. The CR-V is also a turbo (1.5L) so that would track as to why it has the same issue.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

My 2021 now has 2500 miles on it. I've taken it on long trips (4 hours Hwy driving) and haven't noticed anything. However, last several times I have driven it up the hill (freeway) and stop the truck, if you have the windows down you get a burning (break-in?) smell. It's not the brakes because it's a gradual incline up.

All the temp meters always look good. But it's always repeatable when you go up I-80 here in California. Also, I'm not driving overly hard, 65-75MPH.

Also not towing, in 2WD, no load in bed either

Thanks

Hi there, Derrick!
Send a message to us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealership. I’ll look into this for you. Thanks!

 

[MANDO2021]

I'm having this same issue on my 2021 Ecoboost, any info yet on what it is??

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