What Do These Seven Common Car Noises Mean?

As you’re driving on I-355 on your way to Chicago for work, the absolute last thing you want to deal with is a strange noise coming from your car. You may be hopeful that the noise is coming from someone else’s vehicle as you sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but upon careful inspection, it’s your car making the noise. So, what could it mean? As your Toyota service center near Lockport, Romeoville Toyota wants to help you decipher what the different types of noises mean when it comes to your vehicle. Is your car making a strange noise? Let’s discuss the more common noises and what they could mean.

#1. Squealing Brakes

As you make your way around Will County, you may have noticed a squealing sound when you press down on the brake pedal. The simple explanation is that you may have a build-up of brake dust, which can account for the squealing sound. The more serious explanation is that your brake pads are worn out and need to be replaced.

This squealing sound is typically the friction between the calipers and rotors, and in addition to squealing, you may also hear a grinding sound, which is one of the top clues that your brake pads need to be addressed. Any type of brake noise is serious, and a visit to a trusted service center like ours shouldn’t be put off. After all, your brakes have a very important job to do, and noises coming from this area are your car’s way of letting you know that something is amiss.

#2. Rattling and Knocking

If you hear a rattling noise, your exhaust system may be to blame. Rattling sounds from your exhaust can mean that this system is out of alignment, which can be a result of something as small as an uneven patch of roadway or a pothole on N. State Street. This rattling noise could very well be your exhaust hitting against part of your car or even the road, which means that you’ll need to have this remedied as soon as possible. If you happen to hear a knocking noise from under your hood, this could be the engine. Often, this is a result of the wrong type of gasoline used, as filling up with lower-grade gasoline than what’s recommended for your vehicle can cause problems with how your engine functions.

#3. Clicking When Starting

Many drivers have gone out to their vehicles first thing in the morning, preparing for their trek to work, only to find that when they turn the key, all they’re met with is a clicking sound. This may cause a roll of the eyes and a sigh as you know that the culprit is likely a dead battery. If your car has been sputtering to a start in the days leading up to this, the battery is likely going bad. Try to jumpstart your vehicle to see if it will respond, and if it doesn’t, you’ll most likely need to stop by our service center for a new battery. Remember, even if your vehicle does start after some time with the jumper cables, you’ll want to get your battery tested as soon as possible and replaced if need be so that you don’t find yourself stranded at Berkot’s.

#4. Low Humming

If you happen to hear a low humming emanating from underneath your vehicle, this may be attributed to the transmission. Transmission issues are to be taken seriously because if you ignore them for too long, you’ll likely need a whole new system, which can cost a pretty penny. Humming noises can also mean that your wheel bearings need to be replaced. It’s recommended to stop by and let our pros have a listen so that we can diagnose the problem correctly and come up with a plan of action to fix it so that it doesn’t end up becoming a big issue.

#5. Thudding Tires

Your tires take the brunt of the wear and tear on your vehicle, especially since they are the anchors that provide stability and control on the road, so it’s only natural that they will need to be addressed regularly. If you notice that there’s a thudding sound coming from your tires, it’s likely that you have a flat or at least one of your tires is low. This can also cause your steering wheel to vibrate, and you may have difficulty keeping the wheel straight on the road.

See if they’re filled properly, and if you’re still noticing a thudding or flapping sound, you’ll want to see if you can either get new tires or get an alignment to remedy the issue. You don’t want to ignore your tires, as a blow-out can cause a serious accident on the roadway, which is why, as soon as you notice a strange noise, your best bet is to stop by and let us have a closer look.

#6. Chirping Under the Hood

Is that a bird that’s made its way into your car? No, that chirping sound is likely coming from under the hood, and the timing belt may be to blame. Over time, the belts of your vehicle become worn and will need to be replaced. The timing belt or serpentine belt may need to be looked at to ensure they’re working as they should, and if our technicians notice they’re worn, they’ll advise you to replace them. These belts ensure that your engine runs smoothly and your vehicle performs as it should. When they’re not working properly, your engine has a harder time operating correctly, which can result in decreased performance or a breakdown.

#7. Hissing Noises

The location of the hissing sound will help you determine which component of your vehicle will need to be serviced. For instance, if you notice that once you get back to your Abbey Glen home and turn off your car, there’s a hissing sound coming from under the hood, it’s likely that there’s a leak in the engine bay. Finding the source of the leak may be as easy as popping open the hood and having a look; however, this is best left to the professionals who know what to look for and will take the proper precautions since this area tends to become very hot and dangerous. If you notice a hissing sound coming from one of your tires, you’ve likely gotten a puncture and will need to have your tires inspected to ensure their safety.

Taking Care of Common Car Noises

There are many ways in which your vehicle alerts you to any issues that it’s having, so it’s important to pay attention to these triggers. Most of the time, your vehicle warns you before something drastic happens, which is why you never want to ignore what your vehicle is trying to tell you. Having a service center you can trust is a critical component of vehicle ownership because, after all, knowing that you have a skilled and experienced team by your side can help take the stress out of the situation.

Your car plays a major role in your Lockport travels, and when it’s not working properly, your time behind the wheel suffers. This can be alleviated by being in tune with your vehicle and ensuring that you’re keeping up with maintenance and diagnostics to reduce the risk of problems occurring with your vehicle. So, the next time you notice a strange noise coming from your car, remember some of these common noises and trust us to help you get back on the road safely.