arentz07

Consistently, I've noticed a burning smell that makes me think of something plasticky or waxy after accelerating hard. I was a little concerned about this, but I found a thread over on the RC F forums talking about this same phenomenon: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...om-engine.html

What I've noticed is that the smell happens pretty much immediately after giving it the beans, but seems to gradually dissipate once I start driving more casually again. If it follows me home into the garage, it's gone the next day and doesn't come back until I accelerate hard again.

The theory on the RC F forums is that it's a protective oil that gets burnt off. Anyway, just curious if I am the only one who's experienced this and if we still think this is normal.

My car currently has just over 1000 miles on it.

macmaster

Is your window or sunroof open? I have a strong sulfur smell when driving hard but only if the windows are cracked. Usually doesn’t come through the cabin.

arentz07

It's not so much a sulfur smell, it's more a chemically smell. I am pretty sure it's the same phenomenon as described in the other thread I linked, but unsure.

And yes, I only notice it if I have the windows or sunroof open.

I used to have a sulfur/eggy smell in my IS 350 sometimes, but this seems a little different... almost reminiscent of brake pad smell, but even when I am not heavily using the brakes.

howard500

iTrader: (1)

I also get the burnt plastic smell after driving fast and parking in my garage. Not sure what causes it though.

RubyV8

my previous IS and current 500 do this Assumed it was either just oil or the results of hard braking after hard acceleration

arentz07

What if I didn't brake hard?

Check the other thread and see if it matches up with what you are experiencing. I think I've only smelled brakes once or twice in my IS 350, when I was up in the mountains. It definitely had a similar smell, but I can say pretty confidently that it's not brakes this time.

RubyV8

yea I only thought of the rubber or plastic smell mentioned by the other poster and after reading rcf thread similar smell. Had it anytime I have ever driven any of my previous IS and current IS500.

Answer

In my case, it's more present when it's wet outside or I've recently driven in wet conditions, then I will smell it, often after parking it in the garage.
I've narrowed it down to crap burning of the mufflers. I could be wrong, but every time it looks like it's coming from the back where the mufflers are.

Moonman89

This is normal both of my IS500's made that smell once crossed the 3k mark no smell.

wthrman2

I agree,even my RC 350 and IS 350 had that issue...nothing to be worried about

TGPCanada

This seems to be a trademark of the IS. My current IS has this happen almost all the time after spirited driving, as did my prior IS . But as you say, only with windows /roof open.

macmaster

There's just something uniquely terrible about the IS500. It overheats, smells bad from the outside, has an ugly predator grille (though I actually love it), and if you add an exhaust+headers its way too loud. It's just offensive to all 5 senses. (I'm sure it tastes bad too)

95bat

The only burning smell I have is the smell of the car next to me that got smoked

Just kidding, mine smells too.

MYIS500

I had this problem with a different car. The culprit was a a thin plastic shopping bag blew up under the car and melted onto the exhaust somewhere. Took about a month before it went away.

AmbyBomb

Maybe I'm the odd one out but I haven't noticed any smells beyond the normal car smells.