We spend so many hours in our cars that it should be easy to recognize when something isn’t quite right. However, just as we might ignore the first systems of an illness, telling ourselves “oh, it’s nothing, it’ll just go away,” it’s easy to ignore what our vehicles are trying to say to us. So, turn down the radio and listen to your car sounds instead. Car maintenance is vital for the health of your vehicle and here are some vocal car symptoms that you should pay attention to:
Squealing Brakes
If you hear squealing during light braking, it’s most likely emanating from vibration at the site of the brake pads. This is annoying but doesn’t affect braking performance. An applied lubricant may make the noise go away.
If you hear a high-pitched squeal while the car is in motion, but it ceases when you use the brake pedal, it may be an omen that you have a significant car repair problem, namely that your worn brake pads may need changing.
Squeals Under the Hood
A squealing sound when you start your vehicle or accelerate may indicate that you have a worn or slipping drive belt.
Pinging
Pinging when driving uphill or accelerating is often caused by filling up with gas that has too low an octane rating, and can start occurring in older engines because of carbon buildup.
If your engine is overheating and causing severe pinging, this can indicate a more serious problem. Check the temperature of your coolant, and, if it’s normal, switch to a higher grade of gas. If the temperature is high, check the level of coolant, but wait to add water until the engine has cooled. You should then have your cooling system inspected by a mechanic.
Hissing
A hissing noise may be attributed to a leaky hose and could be linked to a vacuum line or the cooling system. To avoid poor drivability and/or an overheating car, you should get this seen to as soon as possible.
Thumping
Thumping noises emanating from the tires could be because of misalignment or low air pressure. Both conditions will negatively affect the drivability of your car, but are easily remedied. Keeping your tires in good working condition will improve your car’s gas mileage and performance.
A more serious condition such as torn rubber in the tread or a bubble in the sidewall could lead to a blowout.
Whining
If the whine is constant and emanates from the front of your car, check your power steering fluid levels—they may be low.
Vehicle Maintenance is Important – Don’t Wait Too Long to Fix a Problem
For instance, that squealing sound from the brakes may deteriorate into a grinding noise. This is a bad sound and means you should have replaced your brake pads. They have now worn completely through and are grinding against the brake rotor, which may also now have to be replaced at additional expense. Also, if you are driving you will need to stop and pay to have the car towed to a mechanic.
Find a Professional to Fix Your Vehicle
Remember a minor problem, if not attended to expeditiously, can cause greater expense down the road. If your vehicle is crying out for help and you can’t figure out what’s wrong or how to fix it, it’s time to take your vehicle into the mechanic.