When you’re cruising down the road with the music up high, it’s easy to miss ways your vehicle may be speaking to you. New car noises are an indicator that something needs repair, so it’s important to turn the music down sometimes to listen. Some common noises you may hear include:
Grinding or squealing brakes.
It’s essential to pay attention to any changes with your brakes. The feel of them can change over time, signaling it needs replacement, but one of the biggest indications happens with sound. When you start to hear grinding noises while using the brakes, that means the brake pads have worn down and now the rotors are rubbing together. The noise can sometimes be more like a squeal too. Some brake systems include an indication warning, which use high-pitched sounds.
Humming or roaring when accelerating.
As you’re speeding up to merge on a highway, take note of any changes in the sounds your car makes. The noises or vibrations that may occur as you’re accelerating can be a telling sign that your vehicle needs repair. In this case, if you hear a low-pitched hum or it gets loud enough to be a roar, it can be a wheel bearing problem. Try to listen closely when you’re switching lanes. If the pitch changes while the wheels are turning and the sound continues once you’ve straightened the wheel, it’s most likely the wheel bearing and not an engine problem.
Tapping, banging, or chirping from under the hood.
When everything’s running correctly, the hood of your car should not be making any unusual sounds other than the working engine. If you start to hear a rhythmic tapping or banging, that can indicate some parts are not properly secure. Valves, connecting rods, or pistons banging on the other parts around the hood need to be repaired before they cause more damage. A chirping sound may be caused by your drive belt or serpentine belt wearing down. Over time, it naturally starts to deteriorate and can slip from its position.
Rattling, rumbling exhaust noises.
A vehicle that starts to make more car noises overall often signals an exhaust issue. If you’re idling and hear a rumbling noise that gets louder when you accelerate, it’s most likely an exhaust leak. It can be something simple like a loose exhaust pipe or part, or it can result in a full replacement of a part. Additionally, rattling when you’re at a stop may be a problem with the catalytic converter.
Even if you’re hearing a new sound that’s not on this list, it never hurts to bring your car in for a quick inspection. Superior Service Center has a location in Eagan and Apple Valley, MN, so we can expertly serve the Southern Twin Cities.