Vehicle Noises: Smooth Symphony or Off Beat Metal?

Have you heard any strange and unfamiliar vehicle noises coming from your car recently? Rattling, grinding, buzzing, squealing, whistling. These are some of the many different warning sounds that will let you know it is time to take your car in for a tune up. Don’t let these noises take you by surprise! Here are several common vehicle sounds and some potential reasons why they might be occurring while you drive.

Rattling

Do you hear rattling from under the vehicle while accelerating? This is a very common noise to hear. Your vehicle might have something loose such as the exhaust system, brake pads or a belt. Get this checked out sooner rather than later before even greater issues arise.

Grinding/Screeching

When you step on your brakes, do you hear a grinding or screeching noise? You might need new brake pads! This noise occurs due to metal rubbing against metal and could actually damage more than you might think

Squealing

If you hear a loud, sharp squeal coming from your vehicle while driving, take a look at your belts before jumping to any conclusions! The timing belt, a/c belt or even power steering belt might be worn down or loose. Not sure which belt is which? Stop by your local auto repair shop for some guidance!

Hissing

Have you noticed hissing coming from your car when you immediately turn off your engine? This could be a potential leak! Coolant or oil could be leaking on an part of your engine that is still hot. Your engine might even be overheating. Give your vehicle take a break before starting again and take a peek under your hood.

Ticking

When you hear a ticking noise near the front of your car, it is time to take a look under your hood and check the level of your oil. Low oil levels could cause the tick to occur.If the oil levels are at the desired level, consider scheduling a time to have your valves checked by a local mechanic.

Whistling

If you hear a whistling sound while driving, there are a few different places you can check out to find a probable cause. The most common reason for this noise being made is a vacuum leak, due to worn or cracked hoses. If everything checks out there, consider checking if any electrical components or window seals show signs of wear and tear.

Understanding the noises your vehicle makes while in motion will come in handy as you learn more and more about how your car operates. As a precautionary measure, every once in awhile, turn your radio volume low or off, roll down your windows and listen to your vehicle while driving. The next time you hear one of these warning noises, or even one we did not mention, schedule an appointment with our shop and let our expert technicians diagnose the symptoms.