Sometimes, the best way to know that there is a problem with your vehicle is to listen to it! There are a lot of noises that cars can make, some of which are normal, and some of which are not. If you hear an unusual sound like one of these, you might want to take a closer look or have a professional check it out. The faster you identify a problem, the faster you can repair it, and the less likely it is to grow and affect other parts of your vehicle.
If you hear a squeal…
A shrill, high pitched, or sharp sound that may vary with the speed of the engine can signal a problem under the hood. It might be caused by a problem with power steering, a fan, or a belt.
If you hear rattling…
Generally a rattle means that something is loose. It could be your exhaust system, your brake pads, or a number of other components.
If you hear clicking…
I quick, sharp sound that may vary with your speed could be a sign of a loose belt, a loose screw, a loose fan blade, low engine oil, or something loose near a wheel.
If you hear hissing…
Hissing or sizzling, especially when you first turn off the engine, a liquid may be leaking from your engine, and is likely evaporating quickly on the heated engine. Or, the engine could be overheating.
If you hear a screech…
A high pitched screech that may sound like metal rubbing on metal, usually heard while the vehicle is moving is probably a sign that your brakes are worn out, and it’s time to replace them.
If you hear a ping…
A quick, high pitched ping, especially if it sounds metallic, could be a sign that the wrong kind of gasoline was put in the tank.
If you hear a flapping sound…
A flapping sound is never good; it could indicate a worn belt falling apart, or something getting in the way of a fan.
If you hear heavy knocking…
Repeated loud pounding can be a sign that your crankshaft is worn or that its connecting parts are worn.
If you hear thumping…
A heavy clunk can indicate a problem with your suspension system, or that your muffler or exhaust system is loose.
If you hear a low rumble…
A repeated low pitched rumbling sound may be a sign that your exhaust system isn’t working properly.