6 Sounds Coming From Your Car You Should Never Ignore

If you are driving and suddenly hear strange noises coming from your car, don’t take any chances by ignoring them. Avoid the potential for accidents or future costly repairs by taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic for a diagnosis. Here are some unusual car noises that warrant attention.

Squealing of the Brakes

If you hear unusual squealing when you tap the brakes, the likely culprit is worn brake pads that need to be replaced. A metal shim causes the brake pads to make the squealing sound when they wear thin. Another reason for the squealing may be under the hood, indicating that the drive belt may have slipped and needs replacing. Other problems may be weak brake shoe retaining springs, distorted brake shoes, or brake dust.

Brake Grinding

A grinding noise while braking may signal a more serious problem when the squealing mentioned above was never resolved. If the brakes have reached the grinding stage, this may mean that the brake pads have worn down and critical parts are now wearing down to the rotor. The brakes at this point are experiencing metal-on-metal contact, setting the stage for complete brake failure if the brakes aren’t replaced immediately.

Banging from the Engine

Sounds from the engine such as banging, clunking, or knocking should warrant immediate attention from a mechanic. Reasons for this noise vary from a misfired engine to a defective spark plug to a bad power component. Banging noises may also indicate leaking valves within the engine, as well as a faulty ignition. In either case, it is best to take your vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose and fix the problem.

Rattling Noises from the Hood

When you hear rattling noises coming from your car’s hood, it may be connected to your catalytic converter, which helps to reduce emissions. A rattling noise may mean that maintenance or repair is needed. If the problem is not the catalytic converter, the rattling may be coming from the camshaft belt. Either way, failure to repair these problems can result in engine failure.

Roaring Noises

Any roaring sounds may indicate problems with either the tires or wheel bearings. If the noise comes from the tires, then replacing them should solve the problem. To test whether the noise is coming from the wheel bearings, drive at a regular rate of speed, and switch the steering wheel back and forth as you would when changing lanes. If in fact the wheel bearings are damaged, then it’s best to get them repaired before the damage causes the wheels to stop working.

Clicking in the Steering Wheel

Another common noise is a clicking sound that can sometimes be heard in the steering column. This may mean that CV joint is worn, bearings within the steering column have run low, or power steering fluid levels may be low. While these may seem like minor issues, failure to get them maintained or replaced can result in poor vehicle performance in the future.

Car noises that sound abnormal should not be taken lightly and should be properly diagnosed. A trip to your dealership or preferred mechanic can save you big bucks in the long run.

Image by Davgood Kirshot from Pixabay 

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