Car Care Tips

Tips to keep your car on the road.

Maintenance February 1, 2023

Common Car Noises and What They Mean

We know it can be hard to try to describe the strange sounds your car is making:

  • “It sounds like a squeaky see-saw when I turn.”
  • “First I hear clicks, then it starts clacking.”
  • “My car sounds like Chewbacca—HERRNNNGGHHHH.”

Some car noises are normal—tires hum, windshield wipers swish, and mirrors whistle in the wind.

But there are some car sounds you should never ignore. If you start hearing a new car noise that doesn’t go away, it’s time to get your car checked out!

10 Car Noises You Should Never Ignore:

1. Car Making Clicking Noise and Won’t Start

Hearing a clicking noise when starting your car is a telltale sign that your battery is dead. Try using jumper cables to give the battery some juice and check the battery wiring and connections. If your battery isn’t staying charged, it’s probably time for a new one.

Read: How Long Is a Car Battery Supposed to Last?

2. Rattling Noise

Is your car making a rattling noise? The first thing to do is check the trunk! Loose items rattling around back there could be the cause. If not, there is probably something loose underneath your vehicle, like part of your exhaust system.

A sudden jolt, running over a large object, or age and rust could cause the hangers that hold up your exhaust system to come loose, resulting in the exhaust system rattling and/or clunking against the car body or—even worse!—the road. Depending on how bad the damage is, you might need to repair or replace the catalytic converter, muffler or other exhaust system component.

3. Humming, Whirring or Whining Noise

Do you hear a strange hum or a whirring sound? Is your car making a whining noise? There are several different things that could be wrong. The differential may need to be lubricated, the transmission could be failing, or a wheel bearing could be shot. The best thing to do is to get a professional opinion from your mechanic.

4. Hissing Noise Under the Hood

If you hear a sizzling or hissing sound coming from your car after the engine is shut off, then chances are something in the engine bay is leaking. You might be able to determine the source of the leak with a quick visual inspection, but be careful! Leaking fluids and air can be dangerously hot or harmful to touch. Leave it to the professionals to do a full diagnosis and repair.

5. Squealing or Chirping Sound Under the Hood

A high-pitched squealing or chirping sound is likely the result of a belt and pulley not working correctly, low belt tension, or a worn-out serpentine belt. In these cases, the squealing sound typically increases when you accelerate.

Read: What Is a Serpentine Belt & When Should You Replace It?

6. Flapping Noise Under the Hood

When a car makes a slapping noise in the engine compartment, it’s typically from a disintegrated or broken belt. Sometimes there’s just something interfering with the fan. Either way, stop the car and check! Driving with a broken belt could cause major engine damage.

Read: What Is a Timing Belt & When Should You Replace It?

7. Strange Sounds When Turning

If your car makes any unusual noise when turning (squeaking, clicking, clunking, groaning, creaking, etc), it is likely related to the steering and suspension systems. A fix might be as simple as adding power steering fluid to the power steering pump. Or it might be more serious, like needing to replace worn-down constant velocity (CV) joints or universal joints.

To avoid further damage, bring your vehicle to a nearby Virginia Tire & Auto as soon as possible to have a qualified automotive technician take a look and test drive the car.

8. Squealing or Screeching When Braking

If you hear a sound like nails on a chalkboard every time you press the brake pedal, it’s time to replace your brakes! Sometimes a screeching sound when braking is simply due to dirt on the brakes. But more often, it indicates that you need to replace the brake pads.

If the squealing turns into scraping or grinding, then you’re in trouble. This is the sound of bare metal rubbing against bare metal. This means the brake pads are completely worn down and are damaging the brake rotors and other brake components every time you brake.

Read: How Do I Know When I Need New Brakes?

9. Roaring Sound That Increases When Accelerating

The most likely culprit is a damaged exhaust system. A leak or crack anywhere in the exhaust system causes a lot of noise! That’s because your exhaust system contains and silences engine noise.

If it’s not an exhaust leak, then it might be an issue with the transmission not shifting into the correct gear.

10. Engine Knocking

Do you hear a fast knocking or thunking sound when you rev the engine? This is called engine knocking, and it’s a serious issue!

First, check whether you are using the right grade of gasoline. Using a lower-octane gasoline than the vehicle manufacturer recommends is a common cause of engine knocking.

If you’re using the right fuel but still hear a deep knocking sound coming from the engine, get it checked out ASAP! Even a minor problem in the engine could cause major damage if left unchecked.

Not sure what your car’s noises mean? Give us a call or drop by anytime! Our automotive professionals will be glad to diagnose the issue and alleviate your fears.

In any case, don’t put off getting your car checked out. Ignoring a strange noise won’t make it go away, and neglecting the issue usually adds additional expenses to repairs. Drop by or schedule a check-in time online today!

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