5 Car Warning Noises to Keep an Ear Out For

Over-Worn Brake Pads Can Cause More Damage

Waiting too long to address this problem will likely lead to a more serious auto repair service. If your brake pads become too overworn, that metal-to-metal contact causing the squealing will turn to grind and that means you’re causing damage to your rotors. Once you hear grinding, your brakes are significantly less efficient and you’re likely to need new rotors once you make it to a mechanic.

Hissing from the Front of Your Car

Generally speaking, any unusual sound from the front of your car is a bit worrisome. However, if you hear hissing, you’ll definitely need to schedule an auto repair service with your mechanic soon. The most likely reason you’d hear hissing from under your hood is a vacuum leak, which can quickly escalate and cause more problems. You’ll notice the hissing when your engine is running, not when it’s turned off.

Vacuum Leaks Can Lead to Major Engine Repairs

A vacuum leak is not a car problem to ignore or try to fix yourself at home. It’s best to take your car to a mechanic to ensure the correct issue is found and repaired before it develops into something more serious. Because a vacuum leak causes a lack of power in your engine , you’ll notice it while driving and continuing to drive risks that leak getting worse, potentially causing a complete loss of power while on the road.

Have a Mechanic Check Your Engine Belts

Whether you suspect the serpentine belt or not, it’s a good idea to have a mechanic check out your car whenever you hear squeaking or squealing while driving. During tune-up service, your mechanic will check all of your engine’s belts, as well as other major parts and systems, to ensure everything is in good working order.

Knocking When You Go Over Bumps

You may be aware that continued bouncing after going over a bump is a sign you need a suspension repair , but hearing knocking is another indicator. One likely cause is worn out or leaky struts, which aren’t able to adequately absorb the impact on your car from going over bumps.

A Suspension Repair Will Help Your Car’s Handling

While struts are just one possibility for a knocking sound when going over bumps in the road, some part of your suspension is almost guaranteed to be your problem. It’s best to trust a mechanic with diagnosing and repairing whichever problem you have to prevent more damage from occurring.

Clicking or Tapping from Your Engine

Any strange sound from your engine can be cause for alarm but especially clicking, tapping, or knocking. These sounds can indicate a major issue with a part inside your engine , which can quickly lead to bigger engine repairs.

Keep Up with Regular Oil Changes

A key possibility if you’re noticing a knocking sound from your engine is that you’re low on oil. You can easily do a temporary fix by topping off your oil so that your car is still drivable but it’s important to both get it inspected as soon as possible and then to keep up with regular car maintenance like oil changes and tune-ups to prevent this problem from repeating itself.

No Matter What Car Repair You Need, Trust AAMCO Utah

At AAMCO Utah , our team is dedicated to helping you with all your car’s issues. From servicing your oil, repairing your components, or providing vehicle checks. Noticing strange noises? Call our mechanics at AAMCO Utah. Count on our experts to keep your ride in the best shape possible. Get quality labor and parts, while you save. We’ll get you safely back on the road with a smoother, quieter ride.