In many ways, your car is like an animal – it can only communicate with you through its behavior and sounds. The noises a car makes are often the first sign of a problem and the first thing that drivers tend to notice when they occur. Behavior signs are sometimes so subtle that you get used to them before you realize they’re a problem.
Odd car noises very seldom go away on their own and often indicate issues with the vehicle. It could be a minor issue, but it could also be the first sign of a serious problem. The following are a list of car noises you might experience during the life of your vehicle.
Hissing from the Engine Compartment
If you hear a hissing sound coming from beneath your hood when the car is at an idle, it’s likely to be due to a vacuum leak. Depending on the vehicle, you might also see the check engine light come on. Behavior that may accompany this noise include idling faster, problems upon acceleration, loss of power and decreased fuel efficiency.
Squeaking from the Engine
This noise can take many forms. It can be a persistent squeaking while your car runs, it might be a loud screech when it starts up, or anything in between. Usually the culprit is a worn belt. Look under the hood and try to locate the belt making the noise. If it has visible wear or a shiny appearance, it probably needs to be replaced.
Grinding or Squealing from the Wheels
These sounds coming from your wheels are often a sign that you have brake problems. Squealing is usually the sound you hear first and this is usually the result of wear indicators on your brake pads, which signal that they need to be replaced.
If you ignore the squealing, you might later end up hearing a grinding sound, which could indicate that your brakes are contacting your rotors now that the pads are too worn. It’s important to check your brake pads right away in either situation to make sure that they don’t need to be replaced.
Engine Knocking Sounds
A deep knocking sound from your engine is not a sound to take lightly. It could indicate rod bearing failure. Carbon buildup or a loose rocker arm could also be culprits, but more serious issues like a damaged piston or loose bearing could cause serious damage to your engine if ignored. If you hear a light knocking that sounds more like pinging, that could simply be the result of using fuel with the wrong octane for your vehicle.
Clicking Sounds When Steering
A clicking sound that occurs when you turn the wheel or when you speed up is most often connected to a worn CV joint, or steering column bearings. If you only hear the sound when turning one direction, it could be the CV joint of that side only. It can also be related to low powering steering fluid and if this is the case, it may eventually result in loss of power steering. If you hear a screeching sound from the steering assembly, that might be a sign of a slipping power steering belt.
Loud Exhaust
If your car’s exhaust suddenly sounds a lot louder than you remember, then it’s very likely that your muffler has a hole or other damage. A failing muffler does more than make your car loud, it also reduces your fuel economy and power.
