Skip to content
MotorFiable

Renault EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch): DC4/EDC6 de Getrag and EDC7Urgency: Garage soon

Burning smell in the EDC gearbox: causes

In the EDC gearbox, 1 documented fault may be the cause: premature dry clutch wear and low-speed judder (EDC6/DC4).[1]

What to do now

Garage soon

Stop the car and check whether smoke is coming from the engine bay. If it smells of burnt oil, check the level and look for the leak.

What it means

A pungent smell after going uphill or manoeuvring usually comes from the clutch. If it smells of burnt oil, there may be a leak dripping onto the exhaust.

Burning smell: causes in all cars

11 sourcesHow we work

Gearbox faults that cause it

From most to least important. Under each fault, how the symptom shows up. Check the affected years and versions on each page.

  1. Source for the symptom[1]

Other common causes: burning smell

Besides the documented faults of the EDC, these are the most common causes on any car according to the sources.

  • Oil or antifreeze leak onto the engine or exhaust[2][3]Common
  • Slipping clutch[2][4]Common
  • Overheated or dragging brakes[2][5][6]Common
  • Coolant entering the combustion chamber[7][8][9]Possible
  • Oil burning inside the engine or turbo[2][3]Possible
  • Short circuit or poor electrical contact[2][10]Possible

What to check first

  1. Note when and where it smells: after climbing a hill or with a load, after braking hard, only with smoke, on starting or with blowing fuses. That clue points towards the clutch, the brakes, a leak or an electrical fault.[2][5]
  2. Before setting off, check the handbrake is off: RACE recommends looking at the handbrake icon on the dashboard before pulling away.[5]
  3. Look for stains under the car and check the oil and coolant levels. According to RACE, antifreeze leaves a yellow or green stain, and petrol-engine oil is a honey-like colour.[2][7][11]
  4. Watch the exhaust smoke. White, dense and persistent with a burning smell points to coolant; bluish with a strong smell of lubricant points to oil burning.[3][7][8]
Complete guide: burning smell

Cars with the EDC gearbox

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it according to its years and versions.

Frequently asked questions

Burning smell in the EDC: what could it be?

In the EDC gearbox, 1 documented fault may be the cause: premature dry clutch wear and low-speed judder (EDC6/DC4). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Burning smell in the EDC: is it serious?

Urgency: garage soon. Stop the car and check whether smoke is coming from the engine bay. If it smells of burnt oil, check the level and look for the leak. The most serious fault that causes it on this engine has medium severity.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité de la boîte EDC : problèmes en série ?fiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · published February 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Olor a quemado en el coche: ¿qué lo puede causar?RACE · Motoring press · published 27 September 2023 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Tu coche quema aceite: 6 señales de alarma y la solución definitiva para salvar tu motorAutopista · Motoring press · published 20 June 2026 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Problemas con el embrague: los síntomas y averías más habitualesRACE · Motoring press · published 21 November 2022 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. ¿Qué pasa si conduces con el freno de mano puesto?RACE · Motoring press · published 13 November 2023 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. La pinza de freno se queda frenada, ¿por qué?RACE · Motoring press · published 20 April 2023 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Mi coche echa humo blanco y huele a quemado: posibles causas y solucionesAutopista · Motoring press · published 29 November 2025 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. ¿Tu coche emite humo blanco por el tubo de escape? Podría ser un problema grave en tu cocheRACE · Motoring press · published 16 January 2024 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. ¿Se puede circular con la junta de culata mal?RACE · Motoring press · published 15 September 2026 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. ¿Por qué se incendia un coche? Causas y consejos de prevenciónRACE · Motoring press · published 4 March 2026 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Mi coche deja manchas en el suelo, ¿qué puede ser?RACE · Motoring press · published 21 May 2024 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish