If you are listening to your car engine, the chances are that you might not be able to hear what’s going on around you. Car noise is often the first sign of a more significant problem. So if you hear the sound of a ticking engine, squeaking brake pads, or any other type of noise coming from your car, you should check it out as soon as possible.
Luckily, there are ways to troubleshoot and fix common car noise problems. Here are the top five most unusual car noise problems and their causes.
Squeaking brake pads
The squeaking sound of your brake pads may be a sign that the brakes aren’t working as they should. You hear this noise usually when the brake pads are nearing the end of their life. Brake pads come with a soft metal attached that acts as a wear indicator. If you hear a squeaking sound that’s unusual, then the brakes may need to be replaced.
If your brake pedal depicts any abnormal movement when you release it, this could also lead to brake noise and indicate that there’s something wrong with your car’s braking system.
Checking your brake fluid reservoir level and cleaning off any debris or dirt from between the wheels while ensuring that all calipers are properly secured via bolts and adjusting toe spacers is one way to eliminate the noise. However, if the problem persists, you need to seek the assistance of a professional mechanic.
Clunking
Your car can make a clunking noise on several occasions, ranging from driving over bumps or turning corners.
You might notice a clunking noise when your car hits potholes or any other kind of object on the road. Because our vehicles are heavy and can travel long distances, this means that there’s tons of movement through them every day; not only do they make noise, but their joints also vibrate, producing rumbling sounds.
Sharp clicking when braking or accelerating may indicate cracks in brake lining.
Driving over bumpy roads might not seem like a problem at first glance. Still, constant rubbing or jarring of any parts while driving eventually weakens its integrity, causing potential falling cracks on some rims, which will then produce noises coming from buildups of debris within wheels and tires when it makes contact with the ground.
When you hear a clunking sound while turning corners, it means that your tires are worn down and due for replacement.
Hissing from engine
Even though your car makes noise from driving, it might also make an annoying hissing type of sound from the engine itself. And it’s not a good thing because if you detect this kind of sound too often or for a long time, then that means there’s some problem with how your engine is working.
The loudest noises are usually heard when driving down the highway or a long distance, which means your engine, is working hard to produce enough power for you to go through any speed limit.
However, if you notice frequent whistle-like noises, then it’s safe to assume that there’s some malfunction with your car’s engine.
Noise from the steering wheel
Depending on how your steering wheel makes noise, you can tell what could be causing it. If the sound is soft or muffled upon halting to a stop, this could be because of a loose part within the engine.
Another important indicator is a clicking noise from the steering wheel while turning corners. This could be from a loose steering knuckle.
Noise from tires
When the tire tread reaches its end and no longer provides grip on uneven surfaces due to wear and tear, this could lead to vibration noise when standing still or driving at slow speeds. A near worn-out tire when driven over a solid surface, the thread contacts with the surface in a different way to compress the air within differently, this leads to unusual sound.
Unbalanced threads from worn-out tires can also lead to unusual sounds when driving your vehicle. Alignment issues are other major reasons that can lead to noisy tires.
Humming noise in the car
It’s quite weird having to call a mechanic for this, but here you are. Noise from your vehicle is normal, and you might not find anything wrong with it. However, if the noise starts coming out of nowhere, making sure everything looks okay doesn’t rule things out!
There can be issues within engines or transmissions and other internal parts of cars, including their crankshaft, movement & components. The air filter could be constricted or dirty, which is typical for cars requiring maintenance.
You may not hear the humming noise as you drive because it’s high-pitched and tougher to listen above the wind and the engine’s noise.
As mentioned above, these noises can be caused by many reasons and if you’re experiencing any sound out of the norm have an expert attend & inspect your motor, turning those alarming noises into something normal again!
The more you know about car mechanics, the better off you’ll be. By understanding what can cause your car to make unusual noises, you can prevent unnecessary damage to your vehicle. If you have any questions or need help finding a solution for an issue with your car, don’t hesitate to contact us!