Have you ever been driving along and all of a sudden your car starts to make a very loud noise? It could be squealing, screeching and just downright annoying. All you want to do is figure out why is your car making this noise and what does it mean for you? Whatever the case may be here are 5 mysterious sounds your car can make.
1. Squealing or Screeching Noise
This noise usually occurs when you apply pressure to your brakes. It means that your brake pads are worn and bare metal is rubbing against bare metal. Also, your car manufacturer may have installed a brake wear indicator that emits a squealing noise when your brake pads need replacing. Therefore, you most likely need new brake pads and possible replacements of your brake rotors. This usually costs between $150 to $400 depending on your car model and how extensive the damages are.
2. Hissing or Sizzling Under the Hood
If this occurs when the engine is shut off, it means something is possibly leaking. It may be coolant or oil leaking onto a heated engine part that is creating the hissing or sizzling noise. The engine could also be overheating.
3. A Loud Bang
If you hear a loud bang as you are driving along it may be your engine backfiring. This can occur if the air-fuel mixture is too rich. Some other reasons that your car may make this noise is if you need a new catalytic converter, your camshaft timing belt may have slipped, ignition timing needs adjusting, or your spark plugs are on the wrong wire.
4. Humming or Growling Noises While Driving
If your car begins to make these noises, it most likely has something to do with your tires. Your car can begin to make these noises when you need new tires or new wheel bearings. You can do a quick test in order to determine which one needs to be fixed. If you move your wheel back and forth just a bit, like when you switch lanes while driving at a constant speed, listen to the pitch of the noise. If the pitch changes when moving back and forth and then returns when the car is going straight it means that you need new wheel bearings. This should be checked immediately because if your bearing splits apart then your wheel will not move anymore.
5. Humming or Whirring
When these noises occur under your car it could mean a number of things. For instance, you may just need lubricant, or your transmission could possibly be failing. It really is impossible to determine just from the sound what could be wrong because it could mean a range of things.
In conclusion, there are many noises that your car can make. Some are more subtle than others but even so you should not let your car continue to make noises. A small problem can become an even bigger problem when you continue to let it go unfixed.
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