Does your car grind, knock, and squeal?
A beginner’s guide to jumpstarting a car
January 11, 2022Does your car make funny noises when you drive? It’s normal to hear noises coming out from a car—sometimes you’ll hear a low hum when your engine runs and sometimes your tyres will make a little noise when you drive. But while these sounds may be harmless, the last thing you’d want to do is ignore them.
Find out what kind of noises you should pay close attention to because more often than not, these noises indicate a more serious problem concerning your car…
Weird car noises that you should know
1.) Knocking
“Knock-knock”, who’s there? It’s probably your car telling you that you have put in the wrong grade of petrol.
These knocking sounds usually happen when you accelerate. And it usually indicates that you have been using the wrong grade of petrol. To stop this, try switching to petrol that better matches your car manufacturer’s recommendations and see if it persists.
Other reasons why you might be hearing these knocking sounds are a faulty sensor, a failing fuel pump, and clogged fuel injectors. But regardless of the reason, if the knocking doesn’t stop, you need to take your car to the workshop.
2.) Tapping
If you happen to hear any tapping, ticking, or clicking noises, it could mean that your car is low on oil. The best course of action after hearing these sounds is to check the oil level of your car. If the oil level is too low, you need to add more oil and immediately go to a car workshop to get a more detailed inspection. This is because low oil levels and tapping noise that persists may indicate a more serious problem.
3.) Loud Bang
If your catalytic converter is faulty, you may experience a loud “BOOM” —a sound that is similar to that of a firework. Although the sound is very alarming, try your best to remain calm when this happens. This situation is also known as a backfire, which happens when fuel that hasn’t been burned in the combustion chamber combusts in the exhaust. If left untreated, it may cause a fire. So, if you ever hear a loud bang coming from your car, seek immediate help.
4.) Grinding
If your car grinds when you are driving, it could mean that the bearings are worn out. If your car grinds when you shift, it could mean that your clutch is worn out. If your car grinds when you step on the brakes, it is an indication that your brake pads are worn out. Or if it grinds when you take a turn, it could be a sign that your suspension needs to be replaced. Whatever the reason may be, if you ever hear grinding noises coming from your car, it’s high time that you visit a car workshop.
5.) Squealing
Squealing noises coming from under the hood usually indicate a worn or loose serpentine belt. But it could also mean that your brake pads need replacing or your steering system needs fixing. To determine which one is the root of the horrendous squealing sound, find out where the sound is coming from. If your car squeals during turns, the root cause could be the steering system or loose belt. But if your car squeals when you step on the brakes, then it’s the brake pedals.
6.) Sizzling
“Is something cooking under the hood?” —Not quite…
When you hear sizzling noises, it means fluid is already touching the hot engine. And this could happen due to an oil leak, a transmission fluid leak, a coolant leak, or a dangerously low coolant level. But the point is—when you hear these sizzling noises, it means that your car is overheating. And that you should pull over as soon as possible to turn off the engine. To find out what you should and shouldn’t do when dealing with an overheating car, click here.
Want to be free from all these weird worrying sounds? It’s important to ensure that your car is fit for the road every time you want to go for a drive. To do that, you can schedule an appointment with us and have our professionals inspect the car for you. Book an appointment with us now! If you have any other topics you would like us to discuss, just let us know!