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My Car is Making a Funny Sound: Diagnosing Car Issues

My Car is Making a Funny Sound: Diagnosing Car Issues

What You’ll Learn

As you read this article about common car issues and the noises they make, you’ll learn:

  • If your car is making any unusual noises whatsoever, it’s important to identify the problem, then solve it before it gets worse.
  • Depending on the noise your car is making, you might be able to get some ideas about what’s wrong.
  • A skilled mechanic will be able to diagnose the noise quickly, and they can help you fix the problem professionally.

Why Is My Car Making Noises?

No one wants to be asking themself this question. When your vehicle is making strange noises that you haven’t heard before, it’s almost always a sign of trouble. This can be scary because some car repairs are costly, but the problem will almost always get worse if you try to ignore it. Take note of what kind of noise you’re hearing so a mechanic can get to the bottom of things and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Squealing or Grinding – Brake Pads

Brake pads are specifically designed to start making noises as they wear out. This is a clear sign that you need to get your vehicle into a shop as soon as possible. Brake repairs are obviously extremely important when it comes to keeping your vehicle safe, so this is nothing to put off until later. By the time the noise turns from light squealing to full grinding, you may be doing significant damage to the vehicle itself, meaning more expensive repairs later.

Chugging, Hissing, or Rattling – Exhaust System

When something goes wrong with the exhaust system, it could lead to any number of different sounds. Normally, though, people either say that they hear chugging, hissing, or rattling:

  • Chugging sounds mean that there might be a blockage or partial blockage in the system.
  • Hissing might indicate that there’s a crack somewhere, and pressure is escaping where it shouldn’t be.
  • Rattling, almost no matter where it’s coming from, means that something isn’t properly aligned anymore.

Whining or Growling – Power Steering Pump

This sound might be coming from a power steering pump or the belt that connects it to the engine. You might be low on fluid, or the pump itself might be starting to wear out. These problems normally make themselves known with a wine or a growl (not the same powerful purr you might hear from a sports car). As your engine hits higher RPM, the noise will likely start to take on a higher pitch.

Knocking Sound – Tire Air Pressure

Knocking or thudding while you drive could be coming from the tires, possibly because they’re out of alignment or low on air . If your tires seem to be properly inflated, take the vehicle in for a tire inspection and alignment. Ignoring this problem will hurt your gas mileage, make it hard to enjoy a smooth ride, and potentially lead to dangerous tire problems.

Car Ticking While Idling – Low Oil

You might hear this when you’re at a stoplight in Tucson or sitting anywhere else when your car is on, but you aren’t moving. Ticking could point to a few different things, but it’s often a sign that you’ve been procrastinating when you should be getting your oil changed. The mechanic will be able to tell you if the oil change will be enough to solve the problem or if there’s something more serious going on. In either case, take your car in for service right away.

What to Do When Your Car Makes Noises

Some noises are more serious than others, but they’re all worth checking out. If it’s a simple problem, the repairs won’t be as expensive, and you can save yourself from the costly damage that happens when you ignore warning signs. If it’s a more serious problem, it’s important to know that, too. It’s better to know if your vehicle is on its last leg before you end up stranded, and some problems actually make your car unsafe to drive.

Other than taking immediate action, the most important thing is to find a trustworthy auto mechanic. That way, you can count on getting an honest opinion about your options. When you bring your vehicle to a skilled team, you can also get fast, accurate service for a lower price.

Car Repair in Tucson at Cactus Auto

Here at Cactus Auto Sales , we’ve seen it all. We sell all types of used cars, so we have to learn how to identify and correct problems on just about any make or model. Our team has a lot of experience, and they know how to take care of common problems quickly. Stop by today, or schedule service and we’ll get you back on the road as soon as possible.