My V70 GLT suddenly has a lot of smoke from the tailpipe. 15 minutes after returning from a restaurant, I went out again. One mile later, at the light at the bottom of the hill, the car was enveloped in smoke. I pulled over, left the car running, and observed smoke coming from the tailpipe only. I lifted the hood; no smoke from there. I tried to identify the smell: more oily/rubbery than gasoliney/carbony. And not the smell of a car "burning oil". I couldn't tell how much was water vapor, but this was way more smoke than normal cold-day vapors. Color, in the dark, seemed white (not blue or brown). I immediately turned back home. My rear window view was totally smoked out. By the time I got home, the smoke had diminished, but was still there. Some family members said they had smelled my exhaust while following me on the way back from the restaurant.
Nothing unusual had been noticed during a previous outing today in 30F weather. The car seems to run ok and no dash lights are lit. All trips today were my usual gentle driving (my brake pads will go 100k!) but several cold starts followed by a semi-cold start may have stressed something.
Should the car be driven to the shop? or towed? I don't want to make something worse.
What other clues should I look for?
Thanks!
- Tom
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98 V70 GLT black 54k
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