How to Understand Car Noises

Despite the urgency any uncommon car noise tends to come with, the driver will likely tend to ignore it. That’s because, for reasons that will forever remain a mystery, strange noises have a tendency to come and go as they please. So, unless some tangible mechanical failure does not accompany the unusual noise, people will disregard them.

But the manifestation of an unnatural noise is a clear signal that something is wrong, somewhere, and you should at least investigate what’s going on. Even more so if the strange noise is not accompanied by an error message in your dashboard, as that’s a clear sign there may be a fault that is not monitored by the vehicle’s electronic systems.

Car noises come in all shapes and sizes, and they are there to signal countless more or less serious problems. In this piece I’ll try to bring to light the ones that occur the most often. Feel free to describe some other kind of noise you’ve experienced that’s not listed here.

There are three main areas in a car from where unusual noises can generate: from under the hood, from the steering column assembly, or from the front wheels assembly. Sure, they may come from other areas as well, but these noises are the ones you should watch out for (or listen to), as they are the most likely to be the symptons of a serious problem.

STEERING COLUMNS ASSEMBLY NOISES

Unlike the engine and front wheels assembly, the steering column is the least likely to communicate an issue by means of unusual noises. Stil, there are a couple of such signals that can point to a faulty operation of the system.

One of the most common noises made by the steering wheel in a car is a distinct click. It usually manifests itself in a very low volume but gets worse over time or as speed increases. This sound is generated when the wheel is turned, and can point to a variety of issues, from worn or bad CV joints, to worn bearings inside the steering column, or low power steering fluid level.

No matter the reason, because this is steering we’re talking about, you should have your car looked at as soon as possible.

When it comes to the systems deployed in power-steering-assisted vehicles, the most common noise is a screech. More often than not, that’s an indication the power steering belt is slipping. This too can develop into a serious condition are requires specialized assistance as these problems may turn into life-threatening situations.

FRONT WHEELS ASSEMBLY NOISES

The front wheel assembly has a lot more moving parts than the steering column, and as a result of that it will eventually end up being noisier. The sounds coming from this can point to a variety of problems, all of which can pose serious hazards to the physical integrity of the car’s occupants.

A vehicle’s front end will most likely make noises other than the ones intended by the manufacturer. The most common ones happen when you apply the brakes and they are perceived as a squeal, groan or grumble. From time to there, drivers can also experience a grinding sound under the same circumstances.

The most likely cause for any of these sounds is the wearing of the brake pads. Because worn-out pads can seriously impact the car’s ability to stop rapidly in case it needs to, this issue needs to be addressed asap as well.

The loud screeching sound we sometimes experience when applying the brakes is actually not a fault, but a built-in feature in the pads. It’s the hardware’s way of telling drivers that the hardware needs to be replaced. Modern brake pads feature a piece of metal on the side that, as the pads wear out, comes in contact with the metal of the brake disc and emits the distinctive sound.

But that’s not necessarily what happens all the time. Squealing can be caused by dust in the drums, distorted brake shoes, bent backing plates, weak brake shoe return springs or retaining springs, and even bad, hard or braking-fluid saturated linings.

Aside from the brake-related problems mentioned above, unnatural sounds coming from the wheels can point to bad or loose wheel bearings, or worn or bad CV joints. In this case you will hear rumbling, growling, chirping or cyclic noise. The abnormal tread wear in the tire, ply separation or a bent wheel can also generate strange sounds.

All noises coming from the front wheels should prompt the owner to take the car in for an inspection. As is the case with steering failures, potentially life-threatening faults could hide behind an otherwise minor sound.

ENGINE NOISES

It can be hard for an untrained ear to distinguish unnatural noises coming from the engine. Internal combustion powerplants are noisy by nature and people often don't even pay attention to what can be heard from under the hood. Still, there are some noises that can be recognized instantly as an indication of a failure, mainly because they are very... loud.

One of the most common noises coming from an engine is the at times unbearable screech that takes hold when accelerating. The sound can have only one source, and that is the slip of the auxiliary drive belt or fan belt.

When a clicking or tapping noise is heard, that’s an indication that the engine is working on low oil pressure, excessive valve lash, or with faulty or damaged components.

We can also hear now and then a rapping noise coming from under the hood. When this happens, the most likely cause is extreme bearing wear or damage. Separately, a knock can be caused by an inoperative EGR valve, engine overheating, carbon buildup in the combustion chambers, or the burning of low-octane fuel.

Last but not least, the engine may whine from time to time, and that’s an indication that the camshaft drive belt is not properly tensioned. If a rattle sound becomes noticeable when accelerating, that may be a clue that the engine is overheating, or there’s incorrect ignition timing.

Although most of the time a car’s engine sits in the front, it can generate sounds from the rear as well. When it operates in incorrect ignition timing or has leaking valves, the engine can send a bang in the exhaust system. If that part (the exhaust) of the car is damaged, the sound it’ll make is akin to a roar.

Depending on the car, some of the noises mentioned above can point to a different fault, and on top of that the best way to fix the fault may vary from model to model. What is important to know is that most likely, not being trained, you will miss entirely what the noise means. At that point, you have two options: you either go online and Google your problem, or you take the car to a mechanic. Usually, the second course of action is safer and more reliable.