When your car begins to make new, interesting sounds, it may be trying to tell you something is wrong with it. Most cars make a decent amount of noise, but when you notice these kinds of sounds, it’s time to take your vehicle into the dealership for a checkup.
Squealing
If your car is making a high-pitched squealing sound when you start the engine that either fades away after you’ve driven around for a while or persists for the whole ride, you may have a problem with your serpentine belt. Without a working serpentine belt, many of your car’s systems, such as power steering, may fail. This type of squealing sound is most often from a worn out or misaligned belt (though, not always the serpentine) and calls for a trip to your dealership before the belt breaks down completely.
Grinding
The sooner you get whatever is causing this sound fixed, the less expensive the fix will be. When your car makes a grinding sound as you apply the brakes, you need to take it in for a checkup. You may need new brake pads or new rotors. A grinding sound that happens when you shift gears in a manual vehicle could mean you have a faulty clutch or transmission. There are many possible causes of grinding sounds, which is all the more reason to let a professional dealership mechanic take a look at your car.
Rattling or Rumbling
Generally, if you hear a rattling sound coming from somewhere in your car, it means that something has come loose. Finding which part that is can be a little difficult and best left to the professionals. Some of the most common causes of metallic rattling are damaged exhaust systems.
Loud Knocking
If your vehicle starts making a loud knocking noise, it’s important that you stop driving that car immediately. This sound likely means that something has come loose inside the engine. By continuing to drive that car, you may cause further, irreversible damage to your engine. Consider having a tow truck take your vehicle to your dealership to see what the issue might be.
Clicking
A regular clicking sound can happen for multiple reasons. We suggest first checking your vehicle’s oil levels to make sure it’s not running dry. If it has plenty of oil, and there is no obvious source of the sound, the clicking may be coming from a worn part in your engine’s valves. Left unchecked, this clicking sound can grow into a major issue, so it’s better to handle the problem sooner rather than later.
Humming
A humming sound may have something to do with your tires. If your vehicle begins to hum when you take on corners or during specific, consistent situations, have your tires rotated and rebalanced. If the sound persists, the problem likely lies somewhere else in your car’s wheels. A certified mechanic may be able to help you identify and reverse the issue.
Our service department at Jim Turner Chevrolet in McGregor, Texas, is staffed by trained and licensed professionals that know their way around a car. If you notice problems with your Chevrolet, make an appointment with our team to ensure your car can return to its most healthy shape.
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