General: Smoke/fume coming out of front-right wheel area

[bokabil]

As the title says, I have had the experience of seeing smoke/fume coming out of the front-right wheel area. I must say that this is very intermittent, and though not 100% sure, only after a short drive. I did not notice this when it was warm but at least 2-3x now since Oct. No message on the dash or anything. I don't notice any smoke when the car is running but only when I'm parking up. Not really sure how to describe it, but the smoke is definitely not continuous, more like 1 puff and that's it. Let me see if my dashcam managed to capture anything.

Any ideas? Thanks.

[cheshired5]

Is that wheel noticeably warmer/hotter than the others?

[bokabil]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Is that wheel noticeably warmer/hotter than the others?

Let me check this. I'll compare front wheels and see if there is something visually different.

[60041]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Is that wheel noticeably warmer/hotter than the others?

Good advice.
This is the obvious thing to check; it sounds like you have a seized brake calliper.
Another indication is if there is more black brake dust on one front wheel than the other. If you decide to check if the wheel is hot after a run, be careful as they can get very hot!

[bokabil]

Originally Posted by 60041

Good advice.
This is the obvious thing to check; it sounds like you have a seized brake calliper.
Another indication is if there is more black brake dust on one front wheel than the other. If you decide to check if the wheel is hot after a run, be careful as they can get very hot!

Last time I washed the wheels, brake dust was about the same on both front wheels.

Short of burning my skin, how do I exactly know if one wheel is hotter? Smell it?

[Ducklakeview]

Originally Posted by bokabil

Last time I washed the wheels, brake dust was about the same on both front wheels.

Short of burning my skin, how do I exactly know if one wheel is hotter? Smell it?

If it's the brakes smoking, you'll be able to smell it. Is the disc a "blueish" colour when compared to the other?

Mike

[Clan]

Originally Posted by bokabil

As the title says, I have had the experience of seeing smoke/fume coming out of the front-right wheel area. I must say that this is very intermittent, and though not 100% sure, only after a short drive. I did not notice this when it was warm but at least 2-3x now since Oct. No message on the dash or anything. I don't notice any smoke when the car is running but only when I'm parking up. Not really sure how to describe it, but the smoke is definitely not continuous, more like 1 puff and that's it. Let me see if my dashcam managed to capture anything.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Your brake is probably sticking on , If the disc is getting hot it will be an orangy colour compared to the others , Probably a new caliper will be needed , Volvo brake pads are not prone to sticking ... ( can't vouch for non volvo pads ! )

[60041]

Originally Posted by bokabil

Last time I washed the wheels, brake dust was about the same on both front wheels.

Short of burning my skin, how do I exactly know if one wheel is hotter? Smell it?

Start at the outer part of the wheel and move towards the centre, if it is bad enough for the brake to be smoking, the wheel will be hot near the centre.
Under normal driving, the wheel should not get anything other than very faintly warm, and only then after driving on twisty country roads.
If you are still not sure, jack the wheel up and turn it by hand- you will soon know if the brake is dragging.

[Funky Diver]

Originally Posted by 60041

Start at the outer part of the wheel and move towards the centre

And use the back of your hand... it has more less damaged nerve endings than your fingers and will feel the heat fluctuation much sooner

(if you don't believe me... get someone to stroke the back of your hand and then the inside of a finger )

[Rudylar]

After 2 years with my XC60 D4 2016, I just noticed a tiny exhaust pipe outlet right behind the front right wheel pointing to the ground, like 4cm-ish diameter. My wife just left with the car now so I’ll check more tonight. Maybe the is something wrong somewhere…

I would have never suspected having another additional kind of exhaust on any car, located in the front part of the car…