Is Your Car making Sounds?

As a car owner, you may have heard your vehicle make different noises that can make you question whether or not it’s time for a visit to the repair shop. If you know the sound your car is making, it can give you a better idea of what to expect once you take it in for repairs. Use this article to help you diagnose your vehicle’s issue before heading in for professional services.

Squealing or Screeching When Braking

What it could mean: Your car may need new brake pads, rotor resurfacing or replacing, or both.

When you hear screeching or squealing noises coming from your vehicle, it likely means that its brake hardware is worn. When this happens, it leads to noise and excessive heat. Make sure you take your vehicle to the shop as soon as possible since it’s important to have working brakes on the road. The more worn the brake hardware is, the more you can expect to pay at the repair shop.

Scraping Sound From the Windshield Wipers

What it could mean: Your car’s windshield wiper may be worn down.

As with your brake pads, this is a fix that needs repairing as soon as possible. When you hear a scraping sound, it may mean your windshield wipers have scraped your windshield. This can lead to a pricey replacement for the glass. If you keep driving your vehicle in this condition, it can reduce your visibility on the road which can lead to a number of hazards.

Sputtering Exhaust Noises

What it could mean: Your car’s exhaust system may need repairs or a component within the system may need replacing.

If you’re hearing chugging, sputtering, or rattling noises coming from the exhaust, your car’s exhaust system may be damaged. This could mean there’s blockage or the exhaust system is out of alignment or cracked.

Ticking Noise

What it could mean: Your car may need an oil change.

If you hear a ticking noise coming from your vehicle, it may mean you’re low on oil. This is an easy fix once you take it into a repair shop. Automotive professionals can either top off your fluids or give your vehicle a complete oil change.

Chirping or Squealing From Under the Hood

What it could mean: These noises may mean your drive belt is loose or worn and needs replacing.

If you hear chirping or squealing, your car may have a worn drive belt or it may have slipped. The drive belt is also known as the serpentine belt. Because the drive belt transfers power to various components such as the alternator or power steering, you need to take your car in for this cheap and easy repair. If you don’t get it fixed, it can lead to several other issues like the malfunctioning of the engine cooling system. This can cause your vehicle to overheat, which can cause even more damage to your car’s engine. When you take it in, the mechanic can also let you know how much life — if any — the drive belt has left.

Noisy Tires

What it could mean: Your car’s tires may need aligning or your car’s tire pressure may be below.

Before you head into the shop, you can check the air pressure for each tire from your own home. To do this, insert a tire pressure gauge into the valve stem on your tire. The air pressure needs to match the manufacturer’s recommended levels. You can also find the required pressure printed on the tires themselves. Check the air pressure before driving or three hours after you parked your car.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to align your tires. If you don’t get this fixed, it can cause trouble for your tires and lower your gas mileage. Take your car to the shop for further inspection.

Humming From Under the Hood

What it could mean: This could stem from a variety of issues such as a failing transmission or worn-out wheel bearings.

To get a better idea of what’s going on, notice when you hear this sound coming from your vehicle. This can help your mechanic narrow down the root of the problem. It can also help to know what happens before your car makes this low-pitched noise. To get this issue resolved, take it into an auto shop for a thorough and professional inspection.

Rumble or Roaring Noise Under the Driver’s Seat

What it could mean: Your car’s exhaust system may have a leak or a crack.

If your exhaust system was working properly, your car’s muffler would hide the current noise you’re hearing. This issue needs immediate attention since it could mean carbon monoxide is making its way into your car’s cabin.

Flapping Inside the Cabin

What it could mean: Your car may have a loose, misaligned, or worn-out ventilation flap.

If you hear a flapping noise when the air conditioner is on, you may have restricted airflow inside your car. Though this isn’t a safety issue, it can be a nuisance. To fix this issue, take it into an auto shop and schedule an air conditioning performance check.

Groaning or Whining When You Turn the Steering Wheel

What it could mean: There may be a friction issue with your power steering if you hear this noise. Your power steering pump may also be on its way out.

If you hear this noise, take your vehicle in for a power-steering system inspection as soon as possible. Your steering wheel may also feel unresponsive under these conditions. This issue can negatively affect the car’s power-steering system which can lead you to lose control over the car’s steering. This is a serious safety concern, so it’s important to take it in for an inspection and repair as soon as you hear this groaning and whining noise.

Even if you think you know how to fix your own vehicle, take it in for a professional repair as a precaution. This ensures your vehicle gets the proper repair as opposed to a potentially temporary solution if you tried fixing it on your own.