After accumulating a few years of driving experience under your belt, you'll develop a keen sense for the normal sounds your vehicle makes on the road. When your car makes an unusual noise, you'll be able to quickly pinpoint it. The sound may offer the first clue that something is wrong.
In this article, we'll describe some of the most common noises you'll hear when your car develops a problem. Each of the following sounds should prompt you to investigate further, whether at your home or by taking your vehicle to a mechanic. You'll learn that waiting to address some problems can lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Scraping From The Brake System
Under normal circumstances, your brakes should make very little noise. You might occasionally hear a chirping sound when you apply them after a cold start. But once they warm up, the chirping should go away. Also, some high-end brake systems emit a squeal that may be annoying, but normal.
A much bigger problem is a scraping sound. If, when applying your brakes, you hear scraping, it typically means your pads have worn down to the point that metal has started to rub against the rotors. This is bad for two reasons. First, it reduces your ability to stop your vehicle as quickly as normal. This means you'll need more space to do so safely. Second, the metal abrasion on the rotors can damage them. Rotors are expensive to machine (i.e. smooth), and even more so to replace.
Bottom line: if you hear scraping from your brakes, have them inspected immediately.
Pressurized Leaking Sound From The Engine
If you hear a noise that sounds as if something is leaking from the engine, pull over and turn your car off. In many cases, the cause of the sound is due to overheating. The engine temperature gauge on your dashboard should reflect the issue, but may not for a number of reasons (e.g. burned out lamp, bad sensor, etc.).
An overheating engine is a problem because fixing the assembly is often costly. Depending on the issue, a mechanic might need to lift it from the vehicle and disassemble it. The important point is to stop your car as soon as you notice the sound since continuing to drive can further damage the engine.
Growl From The Exhaust System
Most people, including bystanders, find this sound to be the most startling. The engine's combustion cycle produces thunderous noise. Normally, the noise is contained inside the exhaust system, which has been designed to muffle it. If a leak develops - for example, from a muffler that has been compromised by corrosion - it will escape.
The sound itself does not present a safety risk. However, it does indicate that the exhaust produced during the engine's combustion cycle is able to enter the cabin of the vehicle. This is dangerous since carbon monoxide can have numerous adverse effects on people.
If you hear a growling sound coming from your exhaust system, have it resolved quickly. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can affect your attentiveness behind the wheel.
Noises From The Engine
Your car's engine makes a few distinct sounds that may indicate a serious problem. For example, you might hear a tapping noise coming from the top of the assembly. This is usually caused by inadequate oil near the valve lifters. The fluid level may be low, or there might be a problem disrupting the oil pressure (e.g. a failing pump).
If you hear tapping, turn your engine off and check the oil level. Refill it, if necessary. If the oil level is fine, the oil pump may be failing. Have a mechanic take a look before driving your car further.
You may also hear a loud knocking sound, especially when driving at highway speeds. This is a problem known as spark knock. The air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chambers detonates unpredictably rather than doing so when the spark plug produces a spark. This problem can cause significant damage to an engine. Have the underlying problem diagnosed and fixed quickly.
Uncharacteristic noises coming from your vehicle can alert you to major issues that need to be addressed. Don't wait since doing so can lead to costly repairs.
In this article, we'll describe some of the most common noises you'll hear when your car develops a problem. Each of the following sounds should prompt you to investigate further, whether at your home or by taking your vehicle to a mechanic. You'll learn that waiting to address some problems can lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Scraping From The Brake System
Under normal circumstances, your brakes should make very little noise. You might occasionally hear a chirping sound when you apply them after a cold start. But once they warm up, the chirping should go away. Also, some high-end brake systems emit a squeal that may be annoying, but normal.
A much bigger problem is a scraping sound. If, when applying your brakes, you hear scraping, it typically means your pads have worn down to the point that metal has started to rub against the rotors. This is bad for two reasons. First, it reduces your ability to stop your vehicle as quickly as normal. This means you'll need more space to do so safely. Second, the metal abrasion on the rotors can damage them. Rotors are expensive to machine (i.e. smooth), and even more so to replace.
Bottom line: if you hear scraping from your brakes, have them inspected immediately.
Pressurized Leaking Sound From The Engine
If you hear a noise that sounds as if something is leaking from the engine, pull over and turn your car off. In many cases, the cause of the sound is due to overheating. The engine temperature gauge on your dashboard should reflect the issue, but may not for a number of reasons (e.g. burned out lamp, bad sensor, etc.).
An overheating engine is a problem because fixing the assembly is often costly. Depending on the issue, a mechanic might need to lift it from the vehicle and disassemble it. The important point is to stop your car as soon as you notice the sound since continuing to drive can further damage the engine.
Growl From The Exhaust System
Most people, including bystanders, find this sound to be the most startling. The engine's combustion cycle produces thunderous noise. Normally, the noise is contained inside the exhaust system, which has been designed to muffle it. If a leak develops - for example, from a muffler that has been compromised by corrosion - it will escape.
The sound itself does not present a safety risk. However, it does indicate that the exhaust produced during the engine's combustion cycle is able to enter the cabin of the vehicle. This is dangerous since carbon monoxide can have numerous adverse effects on people.
If you hear a growling sound coming from your exhaust system, have it resolved quickly. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can affect your attentiveness behind the wheel.
Noises From The Engine
Your car's engine makes a few distinct sounds that may indicate a serious problem. For example, you might hear a tapping noise coming from the top of the assembly. This is usually caused by inadequate oil near the valve lifters. The fluid level may be low, or there might be a problem disrupting the oil pressure (e.g. a failing pump).
If you hear tapping, turn your engine off and check the oil level. Refill it, if necessary. If the oil level is fine, the oil pump may be failing. Have a mechanic take a look before driving your car further.
You may also hear a loud knocking sound, especially when driving at highway speeds. This is a problem known as spark knock. The air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chambers detonates unpredictably rather than doing so when the spark plug produces a spark. This problem can cause significant damage to an engine. Have the underlying problem diagnosed and fixed quickly.
Uncharacteristic noises coming from your vehicle can alert you to major issues that need to be addressed. Don't wait since doing so can lead to costly repairs.
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