Common Car Noises & What They Mean

Is your car making a strange noise? If so, you may need to bring it to an auto repair shop. First, you need to understand what the noise is an indicator of, and how quickly you need to act. Sometimes, it is a simple fix you can do yourself. Other times, it’s a warning sign for something bigger. While it’s easier to just turn your music up and ignore it, this route might end with you stranded on the side of the road. 

Here are 5 common car noises and what they mean:

1. Screeching/Grinding when braking. A screeching sound when braking typically means your brake pads are wearing down. If you’re hearing more of a grinding noise, the brake pads might be completely worn down, causing metal to rub against metal. If ignored, this can damage your brake rotors, making your trip to an auto repair shop even more expensive. Not to mention, the last thing you want is to experience brake failure when trying to slow down or stop. Once you start hearing that screeching noise, go ahead and bring your car in for brake repair.
2. Clunking or Rattling. The best case scenario for this noise is that something is rolling around in your trunk, so check that first. If that’s not the culprit, there’s probably something loose under the hood. Maybe you ran over something or hit a pothole that shook something loose. Or, rust and age are wearing down your tailpipe or exhaust system. If you’re hearing the noise when accelerating, you could have broken or worn down suspension joints. Chances are you need to bring your car into an auto shop to see what needs to be repaired/replaced. 
3. Hissing/Sizzling. If you hear this while your car is running, there’s probably a leak in the vacuum system. If you hear this noise after you turn your car off, something in the engine bay is probably leaking. You can look under your hood yourself to identify the leak, but be careful what you touch as the fluids and engine parts will be very hot. To be safe, leave it to a professional for diagnostics and repair. 
4. Thumping noise in tires. If you hear a thump, thump, thump as you drive, there’s probably something going on with one of your tires. This could be a flat spot in your tire, a worn wheel bearing, underinflation, or misalignment. Check your tires visually and test the PSI. If nothing looks wrong and they are all inflated properly, it’s probably either a wheel bearing or alignment problem. Rest assured, our tire shop can check your wheel bearings and get you back on the road with a proper tire alignment!
5. Squealing when starting the car or accelerating. This sound indicates a worn or loose belt. In newer vehicles, it could be a serpentine belt, which drives multiple other accessories. In older vehicles, it could be a number of belts, which should all be checked. Typically, this is a quick and easy fix at an auto repair shop. 

Being aware of these common car noises is crucial for safety and maintenance. Ignoring any of these sounds will not only make the fix more expensive in the long run, it also puts you and your passengers at risk. If you’ve noticed any of these noises, make an appointment or drop by Derham’s Alignment & Brake Center in Wilmington, NC for an honest diagnosis, quote, and repair. See why so many Wilmingtonians trust us with their vehicles and why we have 250+ five star reviews!