Did You Hear That? 10 Noises Your Car Shouldn’t Be Making

After driving your car for only a few weeks, you should be familiar with all of the little peculiarities that make it special. You know the sound it makes when you first ignite the engine and how it should sound when you accelerate (if it makes any sound at all). To keep your vehicle in excellent working condition, you need to recognize and diagnose issues immediately. Strange sounds often indicate car problems, and you do not want an expensive mechanic’s bill because you failed to act sooner. These are the most common car problems and what they most likely are.

Roaring Sound When Accelerating

A common explanation for why your car roars is because there is an issue with the exhaust system. You should see whether the Check Engine light has turned on. If it has, then the problem is most likely an exhaust leak. This leak may be located anywhere within the exhaust system, but you will need to test the car to locate the source. You will need to replace the leaking section promptly. In the event the Check Engine light is still turned on a week after the replacement, then you should look for other complications that could be present.

Grinding Sounds Under the Hood

Grinding noises from the engine could be a result of a litany of problems. You could have an issue with the engine itself, or the problem could be with one of the pulleys or the alternator. For this, you will need to conduct a step-by-step diagnosis. You will need to check whether the grinding begins as soon as you turn on the engine. In the event you do not hear anything, you should take it for a drive and test out the brakes. When there is still no sound, you should pay attention to how you turn. Conducting these tests on your own will save you a lot of hassles when you go to the mechanic.

Sounds When Turning

The ability to turn in your vehicle is a result of the steering system. Therefore, if you hear anything unusual when you turn left or right, then you need to inspect that component. The culprit may be a damaged joint. They can rub up against the connecting points to create a distressing noise. However, it is also possible the cause involves damage to the power steering pump. The only way to be sure is to get an inspection from a professional. Without a proper diagnosis, you could end up breaking the part in question. This makes it incredibly dangerous to drive and turn while in traffic.

Noises When Shifting or Changing Gears

Weird sounds when shifting gears is almost certainly an issue with the transmission system. You should be particularly vigilant of clunking sounds any time you go into drive, neutral or reverse. This is a sign of torque converter issues. The first thing you should inspect is the transmission fluid levels. If they seem particularly low, then you will need to refill. When the problem persists, it could be a sign you leak into the system. You should bring your vehicle to a transmission specialist to diagnose the issue.

Scraping Sounds When Braking

This sound is an easy problem to identify. It means you have a problem with your brake system. Brake pads and rotors do not last an eternity, and you need to replace them at regular intervals. When you replace your brake pads, you should make sure to invest in high-quality ones. They will wear out sooner, and you will spend more money, in the long run, replacing them more often.

Knocking Noises From the Engine Bay

When you hear something that sounds like knocking from under the hood, it is almost always a problem with the engine. It may be a simple matter of having an insufficient amount of engine lubrication. It could also be an indicator that something inside the engine is broken and requires repair. Ultimately, there are a few thousand reasons why a knocking sound will come from the engine bay. You should take your car into the shop right away so that you do not risk total engine failure.

Rattling Sounds From Under the Vehicle

Several explanations exist for why you will hear rattling noises coming from under your car. The first thing you should check is the exhaust system. In this instance, the sound will be most apparent when your engine idles at a red light or stop sign. If that does not appear to be the issue, then you should next check to see if you have a damaged muffler or corroded pipe. Your exhaust system needs to work properly to renew your car’s registration, so fix this sooner rather than later.

Squealing Sounds During Acceleration

You cannot miss this issue. As soon as you accelerate, you will hear a high-pitched squeal. This is an indicator you have a loose or worn-out serpentine belt. This component is essential to the proper functionality of the alternator, AC compressor, and power steering pump. The remedy may be as simple as having a mechanic tightened the belt. However, if it is too worn out, then you will be better off replacing the entire component.

Loud Banging When Driving

There are two possible explanations for why you would hear loud banging while driving. It could be a result of an issue with the catalytic converter, or it could occur due to your engine backfiring. You will want to have a faulty catalytic converter inspected by a professional to ensure it is still doing its job. However, you should first check to see whether backfiring is the culprit. You may have a clogged air filter. Other potential issues to check to include a cracked distributor cap or whether you have delayed engine timing.

Hissing Noises

If it sounds like there is a snake under the hood, then you know you have a problem. You have numerous hoses by the engine that are responsible for everything from transporting engine coolant to moving hydraulic fluid. These hoses are made out of rubber, and as a result, they will not last a lifetime. Over time, they will grow brittle and crack. When this occurs, the hoses will emit a loud hissing noise due to highly pressurized steam. You can pop open the hood to see if you can locate the damaged hoses on your own. Otherwise, you will need to take it to a mechanic.

It is paramount you diagnose car problems as soon as possible. Delaying will only make the sounds and the underlying issues worse. If you live around Seattle, Washington, then you have no excuse not to take your vehicle to a nearby Greg’s Japanese Auto shop. We have helped drivers stay on the road for over 30 years now, and we can help you next. Call us at a location near you so that you do not have to listen to awful noises while driving.