Your car makes all sorts of noises. The engine revs with a “vroom” when you start the ignition, and then purrs when you idle. The tyres hum as they roll against the road. The power windows give a tiny buzz as they go up or down. These are all normal, part and parcel of the driving experience.
However, your car can also make plenty of strange sounds that you shouldn’t ignore. These noises are often signs that something is wrong; thus, if you ignore them, you may end up with a damaged car beyond repair.
Below are some examples of noises that can be indicative of problems, so you can bring your car in for repairs or parts replacement when needed:
Knocking or Popping in the Engine Compartment
The engine is arguably the most important part of your car so if it makes any strange noises, then you better pay attention. This is because the engine is composed of multiple parts and one sound may be coming from any of those. For example, a knocking or popping sound coming from the engine compartment can mean that you’re using a lower-octane fuel than your car is used to. It can also be due to a clogged fuel filter.
Sometimes, your engine can also knock if you have low engine oil or a clogged fuel filter. It could also be due to a damaged catalytic converter, worn spark plugs, or ignition issues. To be sure, bring your car to a mechanic and have it checked thoroughly.
Grinding When Shifting
If you drive a manual transmission vehicle and notice a grinding noise when you shift or change gears, there may be a problem with the clutch. It’s possible that it only needs a minor adjustment, but it may also be because the clutch is worn down. If this is the case, the transmission system can’t move the gears properly. This can prevent them from disengaging completely, preventing the smooth transition from one heart to another.
If your car is facing such issues, you can buy clutches and DIY the replacement if you have access to the right tools. However, if you have limited auto-mechanical experience, it’s best to leave the installation of the new clutch to your trusted mechanic.
Squealing Brakes
When you step on the brake pedal and your car makes a squealing or squeaking sound, it’s likely that the brake pads are worn down. This causes the calipers to grind against the rotors, resulting in these high-pitched noises. Bring your car to a repair shop ASAP to have the brake pads replaced. Driving with worn brake pads is dangerous and annoying noises are going to be the least of your problems if you keep doing so.
Screeching From Under the Hood
A screeching sound coming under the hood is likely caused by a loose or damaged serpentine belt. This drives a lot of essential components, including the alternator and the radiator fan, so you need to fix the problem immediately. Otherwise, the belt can break completely and your car won’t be able to run at all.
Rattling in the Wheel
If there are rattling sounds—as if there’s a coin moving around—from the wheel when you’re driving slowly and then stop when you accelerate, it’s possible that you have a loose lug nut somewhere. In short, the wheel isn’t secured properly. Drive your car to a safe location and see if you can fix the issue yourself. If not, go to a mechanic ASAP to ensure that the wheel is fastened correctly.
Clicking or Popping Sounds When Making a Turn
Sometimes, a front-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle may make a clicking sound when you make a turn. Pay attention if the sound disappears when you’re driving straight. If it does, there may be a problem with the CV joints on the front axle.
Most of the time, CV joints can still be repaired if the damage is minor; otherwise, you have to replace them. Driving with worn-out CV joints can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, so make sure to address this issue as soon as possible for safe driving.
Squeaking As You Accelerate
Meanwhile, a rear-wheel-drive vehicle might produce squeaking sounds while you accelerate. There are many causes of this noise, but you should definitely check the U-joints first. These are the parts that allow the free rotation of the driveshaft. Therefore, a damaged or broken U-joint means you won’t be able to drive your car properly. Have a mechanic check your car and replace the U-joints when necessary.
These are just a few examples of the odd sounds and noises that your car can make when there’s something wrong—there are many others that you need to be aware of. The key is to know what a healthy car sounds like. This way, when you hear something out of place, you can immediately tell that there’s something wrong.
