3 Car Noises You Should Never Ignore

Your car makes a lot of noises, and sometimes you may wonder if a new noise is something you need to worry about. Some noises alert you to a problem that needs to be addressed. The question is – how do you know what noises you should be concerned about?

1. Squealing or Scratching Noises

If you hear a sound that resembles grating fingernails on a chalkboard sound when you start your car, then you need to take your vehicle to a mechanic right away. This noise could mean the accessory drive belt is loose. The belt slips off the pulleys when it becomes loose and needs to be replaced. A mechanic will be able to check to see if the belt is just loose or if it is worn out and needs to be replaced. If the belt is worn out, it will have cracks on it.

A squealing sound when you are driving is possibly a sign of your brake pads being worn out. Any time there is a chance something is wrong with your brake system, you should have a mechanic take a look just to keep you and your passengers safe.

2. Hissing Sounds

If your car is hissing like a cat when you turn it off, you could have a leak. It is possible there is fluid leaking out of your engine, and this needs to be remedied quickly. When you get ready to turn and you hear a clicking sound, the CV joint could be worn down too. This means the rubber boot that is there to protect the CV joint has either come off or worn down and let contaminants get inside.

3. Banging or Knocking

If your vehicle starts banging or knocking, it could be a number of different problems – several of which originate from the engine. Knocking, for example, could be a spark plug that has come loose or gone bad. Fortunately, replacing or tightening the spark plug would quickly remedy that issue. If you don't know how to do it yourself, a mechanic can help.

You know your vehicle better than anyone else. You know what sounds it usually makes and when it makes a sound you've never heard before. Even if you aren't a mechanic, you can still pay attention to what kind of sound the vehicle is making. More importantly, you should try to note what you are doing when the vehicle makes the noises. Being able to tell the mechanic it hisses when you turn or knocks when you start the engine will make it easier to troubleshoot the problem.

For help with replacing any auto parts that may have worn out or become damaged, contact a service like Hardys Auto Parts LLC.