Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Golf Burning Rubber Q. I just bought a 2003 Volkswagen Golf with a manual transmission. The "new car" smell was more of a plastic/rubber concoction that I assumed was from all the plastic protective wrapping. When driving now I sense a burnt rubber smell - my friends told me it was probably from the gears since it was a new car and that you shouldn't go on a freeway until after you pass the 500 mile mark.

All of this information was provided after I already drove to and from Los Angeles from San Diego on the freeway going 80. Is this 500 mile rule true and if so did I already ruin my engine?

Thank you,
Valerie

A. It is always a good idea to take it a little easy on a brand new engine. Give it a chance to settle in, as it were. But the trip you took wouldn't have done any harm to the engine at all.

The smell is probably the cosmoline burning off. New cars are coated with a clear protector called Cosmoline. This protects parts from rust, corrosion and acid rain while the cars are in storage. You are probably smelling this. If you still smell it after 1500 miles or so, I would inquire at the dealer about it.