Car Sounds and What the Issue Could Be

Strange car sounds can come from nowhere. One minute you have a lovely cruise, the next minute, you are getting constant irritating sounds. Sometimes the sounds can make you panic, say if you are in the middle of a deserted highway and you don't know the cause. We now provide you with a list below of different car sounds and what they translate to.

Squeaky Brakes

Your car brakes are in frequent use and hence are often under pressure. This causes wearing out of the brake material such as rotors and brake pads. A mechanic can work on this by replacing worn out parts or using lubrication where necessary.

Sometimes, however, squeaky brakes can be caused by dirt invading your brake system. Cleaning and proper lubrication of your brake system should get rid of this noise. You can consider replacing your brakes if all the other measures fail.

Engine Rattling

Premature ignition, also called pre-detonation, is the biggest culprit when it comes to engine rattling. The issue is brought about by improper ignition timing, overheating of your engine, and incorrect fuel octane. An early ignition can follow when there is an incorrect mixing of air and fuel in your engine's cylinder. This can cause damage to your valves, connecting rods and pistons.

Engine Clicking

Engine clicking can indicate your engine oil level is low. Try checking the oil level with a dipstick to be sure. If all is well with the oil level, other factors that contribute to the noise are problems in the upper valve-train. These problems could be damaged parts or too much valve lash.

Knocking Under the Hood

Continuous knocking from under the hood can be caused by problems with your pistons, valves, connecting rods, and other major engine components. A mechanic should be able to diagnose the problem for you and do necessary repairs or replacements.

Engine Squealing

The most likely cause for a squealing engine in older vehicles is worn out or loose accessory belts. Accessory belts control engine components such as the power steering pump, alternator, and the A/C compressor. When the accessory belt fails, then it means these parts also fail, and hence squealing noises can be heard. In more recent vehicle models, a failed serpentine belt can result in squealing noises from your engine.

It is essential to take care of the noises you hear from your car as soon as you hear them. This will put you out of the way of more expensive repairs. Contact or visit our Hyundai dealership to have the strange sounds diagnosed or serviced by our certified service experts today.