You know that feeling when you’re driving and you hear a funny noise coming from your car? You stop the car, take a look around to see if anything is amiss, but can’t find anything. You restart the engine and drive on only to have the same sound happen again. It’s frustrating, right?
But it doesn’t have to be! In this blog post, we’ll share 7 common sounds that most people don’t even notice until they become an issue – all of which could mean trouble for your vehicle.
Seven vehicle noises that are indicators of an issue:
- Brakes squealing or grinding
- A high-pitched squealing sound, similar to that of a coin in a clothes dryer
- Clicking sound when you turn the vehicle
- A squeak when you accelerate
- A whining sound
- Clunking or banging sound under the hood
- Squealing under the hood when you start or accelerate
If you notice any of these sounds, we recommend that you visit one of our service centers and have a professional take a look at your car. Not only will it help keep you safe on the road but may save you from some hefty repair bills too!
Let’s get started:
#1. Brakes squealing or grinding
One common reason for having to replace your brake pads is that you’ve been driving on worn-down pads for too long. This can cause a screeching noise when you brake and is usually accompanied by the car vibrating or shaking.
If you hear this sound, it’s important to have your brakes checked as soon as possible! Driving with worn-out brake pads can not only damage your car but can also be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road.
If your car is making a rattling noise, there’s a good chance that one or more of your engine mounts are broken. This can be caused by everything from potholes to bad driving habits and can lead to bigger problems down the road if not fixed.
#2. A high-pitched squealing sound, similar to that of a coin in a clothes dryer
If you’re hearing a high-pitched squealing sound that seems to be coming from your engine, it’s likely that you have a problem with your serpentine belt. This belt is responsible for powering all of the accessories in your car, and if it breaks or slips off the pulleys it can cause some major damage.
#3. Clicking sound when you turn the vehicle
If you notice a clicking noise when you turn your car, it’s likely that there’s a problem with one of your wheel bearings. Wheel bearings keep the wheels attached to the car and allow them to rotate freely – so if they go bad, it can cause some serious problems.
Moreover, if you have a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive vehicle and hear this sound when turning or cornering (but the noise stops when you steer straight), one or both of the constant velocity (CV) joints on your front axle might need to be replaced.
#4. A squeak when you accelerate
The universal joint (U-joint), which is present in pairs and are components of the driveshaft, could be the source if you hear a squeaking sound when you accelerate. Immediate examination by a mechanic is advised.
#5. A whining sound
This is most likely a symptom of your bearings—tiny metal balls that allow components to rotate properly—not functioning. Which ones, you ask? If the rattle changes as you turn left, right, and then back again, it’s probably your front-wheel bearings; a gradually increasing, constant howl indicates rear-wheel bearings. If you have rear-wheel drive and the whine gets louder when you accelerate, it’s possible that your differential is leaking fluid. Get it fixed as soon as possible!
#6. Clunking or banging sound under the hood
There might be a major problem with valves, connecting rods, or pistons if you hear a clunking or banging sound under the hood. Immediate attention is required from a mechanic.
#7. Squealing under the hood when you start or accelerate
It’s also possible that worn or flailing accessory belts, such as your power steering pump, air conditioner compressor, and alternator, are to blame. It could imply the serpentine belt in modern automobiles, which drives a number of accessories at once and is relatively simple and inexpensive to repair.
To avoid being stranded on the road, you could get out of trouble by leveraging Car Factory’s lifetime warranty services. You can shop for your next dream vehicle from our 800+ car inventory at CarFactory.com.
