Bad smell coming from my GTI Polo

[GTIVWPOLO]

Evening all,

I recently purchased a 2010 Polo GTI and today was the first day I gave it a good run up in the mountains. After a solid fast-paced drive that lasted for 3-5mins I came to a stop at the top and noticed a burning smell. The smell reminded me of brakes however I was hardly using my brakes as I was going uphill and there was no need. I could not pin point exactly where the smell was coming from although the scent seemed to be pretty strong coming from the exhaust area (car turned off).

As I am new to owning a Volkswagen (especially a polo GTI) I am curious to know if this is a common thing/possibly something I should have checked by the dealer that sold the car to me. The car is currently stock.

Cheers, Sean

[h100vw]

I think you'd be surprised how hot brakes can get even if you only used them a few times. Also, if you were gunning it uphill, the load would create a fair amount of heat in general under the whole car.

If the smell has gone now, don't worry.

Gavin

[GTIVWPOLO]

I think you'd be surprised how hot brakes can get even if you only used them a few times. Also, if you were gunning it uphill, the load would create a fair amount of heat in general under the whole car.

If the smell has gone now, don't worry.

Gavin

Smell went away however sitting at 100kph on the motorway my friend behind me said the smell was still there

[staz88]

The Polo GTi has an XDS front diff.

You can read about it here..
Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) < Technical Glossary < Innovation & Technology

In essence it will automatically apply brake pressure to reduce understeer.
So you may not have pressed the brakes.. but the car may have.

[tigger73]

XDS + spirited driving through the twisties = smelly brakes

[GTIVWPOLO]

Thanks a bunch! Still learning about the car and finding how interesting some of the features behind the car are!