Sounds Like Trouble: What the Noise from Your Car Might Be Trying to Tell You

Your car is capable of making all kinds of strange noises, but some are a lot more menacing than others. It's important to take note of any sounds coming from your vehicle that you might not have heard before, as this could be a strong indication that there is trouble brewing somewhere below deck.

Of course, different vehicles are assembled in different ways, and as a result have the ability to emit different noises and sounds. But the following article can be considered as a guide for the kind of noises that have the potential to come from any kind of car. Pay attention to these sounds by keeping your ears open when you drive, and you'll be able to identify any problems with your vehicle early on so that they can be rectified and repaired as soon as possible.

Screech When Steering

A screeching noise every time you turn your steering wheel is probably indicative of a slipping power steering belt. This noise is usually pretty difficult to ignore, and can be rectified by loosening or tightening the tension of the belt. If the screech is loud enough to the point of being almost unbearable, then it may be in fact be the hydraulic pump dying a slow, painful death. This is a more expensive repair process, but it's absolutely essential to complete in order for your car to run correctly.

If your steering is emitting more of a groaning sound as opposed to a high-pitched screech, then it could be a case of your power steering fluid being low. Try topping up this fluid before you go for your next drive, and if the groaning noise continues to persist whenever you turn your steering wheel, you could have a power steering fluid leak on your hands.

Squeak, Squeal And Grinding Sound When Braking

A squeal when braking is something that always needs to be checked out as soon as possible, but in some cases it may not necessarily require an expensive repair. A squeaking sound when applying the brakes could simply be a case of a lack of lubrication on the brake parts, and you can contact your mechanic to get them to take apart your vehicle and put it together again in the right way with healthy lubrication so that the squeaking vanishes for good.

The reason this sound will need immediate attention is because the worst case scenario is an extremely dangerous one. Worn brake pads often cause an abrasive squeal or grinding noise when the car user hits the brakes, and any brake pads that aren't functioning correctly will put the driver and any passengers in huge danger as the vehicle is unable to stop like it should.

Hissing From Engine

A hissing sound coming from your engine is never usually a good sign, and could indicate one or more rather serious issues occurring under the bonnet of your vehicle. More often than not this can be a case of your car overheating, which in turn may be down to an engine coolant leak.

You can confirm your suspicions by taking a look at your car temperature on the dashboard, and also by looking for coolant fluid leaks by examining your driveway in the mornings. If you see a bright green/pink stain, it's a sure sign that coolant is indeed dripping from your car.

Hissing from the engine might also indicate a different type of leak, such as a dripping from the vacuum line. In the long term, this kind of leak can lead to a constant need top up fuel levels as well as severe engine damage, so it's always important to take note of a hissing engine and report to your mechanic as soon as possible.

Roaring When Accelerating

A roaring sound (that may resemble the sucking sound of a vacuum cleaner) during acceleration is usually indicative of a damaged exhaust system. This automobile system has the potential to corrode over time due to the many duties it is forced to carry out on a regular basis. When this corrosion occurs, the muffler/silencer gives way, and the result is a roaring sound whenever the driver hits the accelerator. This will require a mechanic to take a look and replace your exhaust.

Alternatively, a roaring sound during acceleration may suggest that there is something wrong with the vehicle's transmission system. A thorough transmission check-up is the only real way to determine the cause of the issue, and mechanics like Mitchell Service Centre will be able to professionally do that for you. 


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