Help! There is smoke coming out of my back left tire.?

Question

I don't know anything about cars, help please! What do I do? It's my friends car I was driving so I'm wondering if I should let her know about this or let her find out on her own? What could be causing this? I think it might have something to do with the brakes??

Answer 1

The brake is stuck on either due to a seized caliper or wheel cyl. (depending on how equipped) or the parking brake cable.  Have it repaired ASAP.

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Answer 2

you have a bad bearing or the wheel cylinder is freezing up and letting the brakes drag on the drum, and if you car has back disc, then i would say it,s a caliper.

Answer 3

Your drums/calipers are sticking really bad! You need to let the owner know about this condition so they can fix it. In the mean time you shouldn't drive it. You could overheat the rim and damage the tire or rim and that would be your fault then!

Most likely you will need to replace the drums, linings and wheel cylinders.

Answer 4

Either your brakes are stuck, or your tire is so under inflated that it's overheating. Feel the temperature of the other rim that isn't smoking, then CAREFULLY feel the one that is. If the rim is a lot hotter on the smoking side, it's a brake problem. Go get it checked immediately, since this could result in a fire, or at least serious damage to your brakes.