Strange Car Sounds Signal Trip Needed for Repairs
Any unusual sound emitted by your car, truck or SUV should get checked out by professional mechanics. Loud, frequent squeals, screeches, grinding, whining and knocking means your vehicle needs urgent care. Simply ignoring the noises and hoping they go away could make the problems even worse. Additionally, it might make a small repair a big one, costing you even more.
Luckily, our experienced DeBroux Automotive mechanics know fluent car speak. We can diagnose and fix most anything. From a tapping sound signaling your car craves oil to metal grinding noises indicating your car needs a shot of transmission fluid, trust DeBroux for your repairs.
Common Sounds to Know
We have translated some additional common car sounds below to help you recognize your automobile’s call for a little TLC.
Squealing, screeching or scraping when you brake. Squealing or screeching can be an indication your brake rotors, pads or shoes need replacing. When squealing changes its tune to scraping, beware! This means metal is rubbing against metal and your brake pads have worn out. Each time you brake you risk damaging a rotor or even worse, not being able to stop.
Sputtering, rumbling or rattling noises underneath your car. Your car may need exhaust system attention. It could be a loose exhaust system, a hole that requires a new section of exhaust pipe installed or a whole new muffler. Worst-case scenario your catalytic converter, which lowers vehicle emissions, needs repair.
High-pitched squealing from under the hood. Often this requires a very important drive belt replacement. The serpentine belt controls the transfer of power from the engine. Additionally, the air conditioning, power steering and alternator all rely on it. Rubber technology advancements allow this belt to last an average of 60,000 miles. Failing to change it could ultimately kill your car’s engine.
Tapping, clicking or knocking sounds in the engine. Tapping or clicking alerts you that your vehicle needs an oil change. A rule of thumb requires engine oil replacement every 3,000 miles. A knocking noise that gets louder and then quieter depending if you rev the engine indicates a more serious problem. You may need to service or install new engine bearings. Moving parts of the engine depend on these bearings. If they seize up because of poor lubrication or because they wore out you could need a very costly engine rebuild or replacement.
Grinding sound in your vehicle’s transmission when shifting gears. You must take this sound seriously. At minimum, this requires adding transmission fluid. The fluid lubricates the transmission and helps it provide the power your car or truck needs to run. Failing to pay attention to the metal on metal grinding noises could cause major damage and major repair bills.
Whining from the steering wheel when turning. This sign means your automobile needs a shot of power steering system fluid. Additionally, you may have a spent power steering pump and need a new one. Get these done ASAP to prevent further issues.
When You Hear Strange Car Sounds, Head to DeBroux for Repairs!
We’ve heard our customers do impressions of the strange car sounds they hear since our family-owned business opened in 1989. We never laugh and always take you and your car seriously. It actually helps us to hear the noise (or your rendition) to diagnose and care for your car or truck. Don’t ignore any strange car sounds! Call us or stop in at DeBroux Automotive today! We do everything from oil changes to engine rebuilds on most makes and models and specialize in classic car repair!