What’s Rattling in Tempe? 5 Car Noises to Never Ignore

When your car is running properly, you shouldn’t hear much more than the faint hum of the tires or maybe a slight revving of the engine as you accelerate. As your car gets older, you might notice more noises here and there as parts get older and fluids get lower. You might feel inclined to ignore these noises as “normal,” but you shouldn’t get complacent.

Noises coming from your car are usually a sign that you need to see your Tempe mechanic. You might need auto repair or you might need some routine maintenance, like changing some filters or filling some liquids. Here are five noises that you should never ignore:

Grinding

Grinding is the sound of metal crushing against metal. If you hear grinding, you likely need to have your brakes checked. Grinding can occur when your brake pads get thin and the backing plates of the pads are rubbing directly on the brake discs. If you let this problem go unattended, your rotors and other brake elements can become severely damaged.

Hissing and Steam from Under Hood

Hissing and steam can be caused by a number of issues. You might have a leak in the cooling system, or you might need a whole new radiator. Steam alone can be a sign that your engine has overheated, which can be caused by a number of problems, including oil leaks, cylinder problems, and a cracked motor.

If you hear hissing or see steam, head to your Tempe repair shop as quickly as possible.

Tapping or Clicking

Tapping or clicking coming from the engine is usually the result of an issue with the valve train. The right oil pressure is required to keep the space between the camshaft and rocker arm tight. If the oil pressure is low, a space can open up that allows for the tapping or clicking noise to appear. You may just need more oil, or you may have a more serious problem on your hands.

Noisy Exhaust

Your exhaust controls your car’s emissions and the noise you hear while you are driving. If you have a leak in your exhaust, your engine will “roar” or “grumble.” A leak in the exhaust isn’t just a noise problem. If you don’t get it fixed, you will be marinating in exhaust fumes while you drive.

Explosive Sound

A tire blowout will be immediately noticeable. You’ll hear an explosive sound, and your car will veer sharply to one side. You will need to bring your car to a stop as quickly as possible.

Whenever you hear any of these sounds, you need to get to your mechanic right away. Scottsdale Muffler and Automotive has a team of experts in auto repair. We can get to the bottom of what’s making the troublesome noise and have it repaired before it can cause any more problems. Acting quickly can help you save a lot of money by preventing further damage to your car. Call us today to work with one of our experts to preserve the health of your car.