Your One-Stop Guide To Decoding Car Noises
Posted on: 16 January 2015
When you drive your car, you expect to hear the rumble of the engine, the roar of the tailpipe, and the humming of the tires. However, sometimes an unknown sound creeps in, grabbing your attention. Never ignore strange car noises. The longer you ignore them, the more costly the repairs may be. Here's your one-stop guide to decoding common car noises.
Groaning or Knocking When Turning a Corner – If you hear groaning, knocking, or any other type of noise when you're turning a corner, you probably have a problem with the steering linkage. It may only need lubricating, but it could be damaged, requiring replacement.
Sizzling or Hissing Under the Hood – Sizzling or hissing noises from under the hood usually occur when you first shut off the engine, and these noises are a sign that something is leaking. Oil or engine coolant could be leaking onto the hot engine. This sound could also be a sign that your engine is overheating or that you have a vacuum line leak.
Grinding When Shifting a Manual Transmission – If you're driving a manual transmission and you hear grinding when you shift, you probably have a clutch problem. It could require adjusting or it could be worn and need to be replaced. In some cases, this noise could be a sign that there's a bigger problem with the transmission.
Rattling Under the Vehicle – When you hear rattling under the vehicle, it's probably just a loose exhaust system.
Chirping or Squealing When You Accelerate – When you hear chirping or squealing when you accelerate, it's generally an indication that you have a belt that is loose. These sounds could also indicate that a drive pulley is misaligned.
Squealing When Applying the Brakes – If you hear squealing when applying your brakes, it could be something simple, such as dirt on your brake shoes, pads, or rotors. However, it could also be a sign of badly worn brake shoes or pads. Have your brakes checked immediately.
Grinding or Scraping When Braking – If you're past squealing and on to grinding or scraping when braking, you have a serious problem. This usually means that you have bare metal rubbing together, which means your brake pads are gone and your rotors are being damaged. Don't wait to deal with this problem.
Clicking or Tapping from the Engine – Clicking and tapping from the engine could mean that your oil level is too low. Check your oil and add oil if needed. If the vehicle isn't low on oil, you could be dealing with the loss of oil pressure or you could have a problem with the valve train.
You should never ignore unfamiliar sounds from your vehicle. When you're car starts talking to you, make sure you listen. Have any new noise checked out by a professional mechanic.
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