You’re driving down a road when all of a sudden, you hear a rattling, grinding, or even a hiss. These types of noise can indicate all kinds of things from minor to more serious issues. Any kind of a different/odd noise your car starts making, it doesn’t always mean there’s a problem, but it doesn’t mean everything is all right either.
So, whenever you encounter a sound in your vehicle that you do not normally hear; stop, try to ascertain the origin of the sound. And if you can’t find out the reason, go straight to a mechanic.
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However, let us introduce you to some unnatural sounds that could spell problem if left unaddressed.
Squeaking:
Brakes wear out over time. The first sound you are going to hear that indicates your brake pads are almost finished is squeaking. Then if you let it go, it will eventually turn into a grinding sound. Then that’s going to turn into a heavy rumble indicating that your pads are finished and your discs have worn out too. That’s one of the things you don’t want to play with because brakes are safety.
A squeaking sound can come from a worn out suspension or lose bolts as well.
Similarly, a squealing sound while accelerating hints at a hardened or damaged or loose accessory belt that drives things like your power steering pump, air conditioner compressor and alternator.. A broken belt can leave you stranded on road. You should get it replaced sooner than later.
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Boom Boom Thud:
If you hear a boom boom sound or a loud thud while going over speed bumps, it is mostly because of an issue with car’s suspension. A strut or a shock—might have gone bad. You would not want to delay in checking it as any more delay in suspension repair can lead you to spend a hefty amount from your pocket later.
A finger-snapping, popping or clicking sound when you turn:
If you have a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive vehicle and hear this sound when you turn or corner (but the noise stops when you steer straight) one or both of the constant velocity (CV) joints on your front axle could need replacing.
A howling, whining or even “singing”:
This is usually a sign that your bearings—tiny metal balls that help parts rotate smoothly—aren’t doing their jobs. But which ones? If you have front-wheel drive, and the sound changes as you turn left, right and back again, it’s likely your front-wheel bearings; a gradually growing, steady howl signals rear-wheel bearings. If you have rear-wheel drive and the whine gets louder as you accelerate, your differential, which allows your wheels to spin at different rates when needed, could be leaking fluid. Get it fixed immediately.
Hissing:
A hissing noise usually hints at a problem with the hoses around the engine. This might occur due to an air leak, a vacuum leak, or a faulty hose. There might be a problem with the belt system as well. You should get such a hiss checked out as any leak might negatively affect your engine’s performance, your mileage, or even your dashboard functions.