I will preface this inquiry by making it very clear I know very little about cars and car care. Basically the reason I'm seeking the help of folks who know much more than I. I really appreciate any help.
So I purchased an 04 Honda Civic coupe about 3 months back. It's been pretty awesome so far :) but recently I noticed the belts next to the engine on the driver side will squeal for a bit (only in mornings or when it hasn't been driven for a while) it eventually goes away. Also noticed squeaking noise when I take my foot off the brake. I had a mechanic check it out, and turns out two belts need to be replaced as well as both front brakes and rotors.
The day I took it to the mechanic I noticed a burning smell coming from what seems like the front tires. The repairs come out to around $300 for the brakes and $150 for the belts. Thing is, I can't afford these fixes for about a week or so.
I use my car VERY often. I am a pizza delivery driver. The burning smell is my real concern. Every time I get out of my car after driving I can smell it, loudly. Though it seems to me like it's coming from the front tires (brakes), I'm not sure if the belts would cause such a smell.
My question is, whatever is causing that burning smell that's scaring the shit out of me, how safe is it to drive like that? And how long can I keep going before the repairs can be afforded?
Again I really appreciate any help.
Almost forgot. One last note, the brakes seem to work normal. There doesn't seem to be a problem with functionality. Just the burning smell (I think is the brakes) and the squeak noise every time I let off the brake.
Levi Mitchell
1. Belts cost $10 each and are extremely easy to change yourself. I can't exclaim just how much I hate normalfags that are too scared to work on their own cars. It's easy as fuck and you save so much god damn money. Don't spend $150 for a mechanic to change them FFS. Also, they will work for a long time after starting to squeak, so go watch some ericthecarguy videos and do them yourself
2. Probably is your brakes. Also extremely easy to change. Watch ericthecarguy walkthroughs and do them yourself.
Nolan Garcia
Bump
Sorry, I really need some input on this as I'm really scared. To smell a burning smell every time I get out of my car is quite scary, especially for me as I don't know how safe it is.
Ryder James
Thanks. I'll definitely check out those videos. But, the burning smell? Should that be fixed asap? Is it most likely the brakes making that smell?
Also, like I said I know very little about cars, much less about working on them myself. The only thing I've done myself is battery changes, oil changes and replacing a battery cable link. I'm not gonna kid myself and act like I can do repairs myself. Really, I just don't wanna fuck shit up, ya know?
Austin Clark
The belts you can look up videos or buy a Chilton/Haynes manual and do yourself for the cost of the belts at your local autoparts store with basic tools. I'd say probably 20 bucks max if you own or can borrow some tools. the burning smell could be the belts if its a rubber burning smell. Is the car automatic? If it's manual I'd guess the clutch. brakes will almost definitely last you a week even if theyre crappy. And when I was delivering I brought home tips every night. you should have 300 bucks in maybe 4 nights working. No reason that should take a week.
Mason Foster
Man, I wish I made that kind of money in tips. I barely make shit except for a few days out of the week. Mostly though the issue is having a day off to get the work done.
It is automatic. And yeah, it smells kind of like burning rubber. But like I said, it really seems that the source of the smell is the front tires.
Nathan Peterson
are your tires rubbing against your fender at all when you turn?
Carson Williams
I just want to reiterate, I know very little about working on cars. You guys both suggested I do it myself, but I really don't wanna fuck it up or make it worse. I don't have any tools or friends with tools for that matter. I would definitely give it a try if you guys think it's easy enough for someone like me to do.
Thanks again for the input. I really do appreciate it.
Thomas Peterson
No. Not that I can tell anyway. I feel like I'd be able to tell if they were. Almost 100% sure they are not rubbing against my fender.
Michael Myers
okay, do you have enough brake fluid? maybe your out and the smell is the brake on rotor heating up real bad causing a burning smell
