Car Sounds and What the Issue Could Be

Your car is an intricate and detailed piece of machinery, so when it starts making sounds that it shouldn't, that's a sign that there is something wrong and needs attention immediately. Here are some of the more common sounds that your car should not be making.

Squeaky Brakes

If you hear a squeaking sound when using your brakes, it may be a warning that your brake pads are wearing down and need replacing. The squeaking sound that you hear is more than likely the exposed metal surface behind the original brake pad coming into contact with the wheel surface. The metal on metal contact results in a squeaking sound when using the brakes.

Engine Rattling

The sound of rattling coming from your engine compartment can indicate several different engine problems. Some of the possible issues could be the wrong fuel octane, an overheating engine, or the ignition timing is off. These can cause an incorrect air/fuel mixture, which causes the rattling noises associated with early ignition. This can damage several engine parts, namely the pistons and their associated components, where the ignition takes place.

Engine Clicking

A clicking noise coming from your engine could mean that your oil is low. This is an easy problem to diagnose. Simply follow the instructions in your car's manual for checking oil levels. If the levels are low, you can add engine oil yourself without much trouble. If the oil levels aren't the problem, there may be damage to the valve train, which would require a skilled mechanic to repair or replace the damaged components.

Knocking Under the Hood

If you hear this sound coming from your engine compartment, immediately take your car to a qualified mechanic, as it can be a sign of significant problems with one or more major engine parts. If not dealt with quickly, this could lead to damage being done to the connecting rods, the pistons, or the valves in your engine.

Engine Squealing

This is often caused by one of the belts in your engine compartment. If a belt gets loose or out of alignment, a squealing noise is a common side effect. Many important accessories and secondary components are run off of belts from the engine, so this should be dealt with as soon as possible.

If your car is making strange sounds that seem out of place, come on down to our dealership service center. Our technicians have the knowledge and experience needed to ensure that any further damage is avoided before it takes place.