WHAT’S THAT NOISE? – THE FIVE MOST COMMON CAR NOISES AND WHAT THEY MEAN

It’s usually not a good sign if your car or truck is making any strange, unfamiliar noises. Out-of-the-ordinary sounds coming from your vehicle are a telltale sign that it’s in need of service or repair. Often times you can diagnose any automotive service or repair issues based on the specific sound a vehicle is making. In this month’s blog, we’ll take a closer look at the five most common car noises and what they mean.

The Five Most Common Car Noises and What They Mean

1.) Squeaking, Screeching or Grinding Brakes

Hearing a squeaking or screeching sound when applying the brakes? This is one of the most easily identifiable, common car noises most drivers will experience.

It means one or more of your car or truck’s brake pads needs to be serviced or replaced soon. A louder, metal-on-metal grinding noise indicates that your automobile’s brake pads are completely gone. If that is the case, this means that your car’s metal brake discs and calipers are rubbing against each other.

It is extremely dangerous to drive with completely worn out brake pads. Additionally, it can become costly as well, due to damage likely being done to your vehicle’s brake rotors and discs. If you have any concerns about any abnormal sounds coming from your vehicle’s brakes bring it in to a reputable auto repair center. Our ASE-certified auto mechanics are brake experts and will resolve any problematic brake noises once-and-for-all.

2.) Buzzing or Vibrating Tires

A buzzing or vibrating noise, similar to the drone sound coming from a hive of angry bees or hornets, is one of the most common car noises that indicates tire trouble. If you hear this sound emanating from your automobile’s tire area while driving, it clearly signals that the tire is in imminent danger of blowing out or failing.

You should pull over as soon as possible and visually inspect all of your vehicle’s tires, along with measuring their air pressure. A buzzing or vibrating tire can signify a variety of different issues such as incorrect air pressure levels, out-of-balance alignment or rotation, a puncture, leak, or it is simply worn-out and needs replacing.

Driving with a buzzing or vibrating tire is a safety hazard to yourself as well as other motorists. This tire problem must be immediately repaired.

3.) Shrieking or Squealing Engine

A shrieking or squealing sound coming from your vehicle’s engine during ignition or operation normally indicates that its serpentine belt needs replacing or service. Aside from the horrible sound, a worn, damaged or malfunctioning serpentine belt can also lead to failures and problems with your automobile’s alternator, starter, water pump, air conditioning compressor, and radiator fan.

While it’s a fairly simple fix, you will probably want a highly trained mechanic to professionally service your vehicle’s serpentine belt, as well as ensure no other underlying mechanical issues were causing the shrieking or squealing noise under the hood.

If your car or truck is shrieking, squealing or making any of the other common car noises listed in this blog, don’t hesitate to make an auto repair appointment asap.

4.) Whining or Whirring When Turning

Whining or whirring sounds emitted from the steering column when turning the steering wheel. This common car noise typically points to a power steering problem. A whining or whirring steering column is normally the result of the power steering system being low on fluid, experiencing a leak, or a worn component in need of replacement.

You will want to get your car or truck off the road and have its power steering system checked out by an automotive professional as soon as you can. Continual driving may lead to further leaking or damage.

Local Winston Salem, North Carolina motorists experiencing any whining or whirring sounds coming from their vehicle’s steering column should definitely bring their automobile in for top-of-the-line power steering service and repair at Carolina Auto Service, conveniently located on South Stratford Road near the Interstate 40.

5.) Clicking, Clunking or Crunching When Turning or Accelerating

A clicking, clunking or crunching noise coming from any of your automobile’s wheel areas when turning or accelerating normally occurs when there is a problem with one of its CV axles. A CV axle is an automotive component that essentially connects and integrates a car or truck’s wheel, to its chassis and suspension system.

If the CV axle or its individual parts need to be cleaned, lubricated, repaired or replaced it will make a clicking, clunking or crunching noise when turning or accelerating the vehicle, which gets progressively worse over time and usage.

Operating a car or truck with a damaged CV axle is a recipe for disaster. It could lead to complete loss of control when driving and in a worst-case scenario, a wheel literally falling off. Needlessly to say, you will want to refrain from driving a vehicle making clicking, clunking, or crunching sounds. And of course, bring it in to an experienced mechanic right away.

Trust your gut…..

You know your own car or truck better than anyone else. If your instincts are telling you something just doesn’t sound right on your vehicle, visit a reliable automotive repair center. Carolina Auto Service in Winston Salem, NC will diagnose and repair your car or truck problem. Don’t let a minor fix snowball into costly repairs and replacements.