The car seems to be driving okay but suddenly you hear this SCREECH! There it goes again - A high pitched squeal you can't ignore and it makes you nervous. The car experts say to have the problem checked out by your mechanic, but here are some helpful hints that may give you some idea about what's wrong before you get to the mechanic.
A Pinging Noise If it sounds like tiney marbles are rolling
around in your engine when you accelerate or climb a hill, your engine is
probably getting old or dirty (or both). Try switching to a premium gas
with a higher octane rating. If this doesn't work, then have your mechanic
take a look.
More than likely this is a loose fan belt which
needs to be replaced, or at the very least, adjusted. If it is constant,
get to the car shop asap because your car could stall, become hard to steer
or overheat. If the squeal is infrequent, you may have a little time to
get the matter looked into, but don't wait too long.
What Is This Loud Knocking?
It's bad news! If it sounds like someone is
hammering - it is almost always a sign that there is severe internal wear
or serious mechanical damage. It probably means big bucks! Stop driving
now! The longer this goes on - the more damage is being done! The engine could seize and
you may loose control of the vehicle.
Some breaks squeal naturally, especially during
light breaking. It may be annoying, but nothing much to worry about. You
or your mechanic can apply goop to help quiet them down, but this is no
guarantee.
If the breaks squeal while you drive, but a
quiet when you depress the pedal, it could be a sign of serious trouble
in your break system. Schedule break service as soon as possible!
You have put off a break job for too long! This
is a serious situation. You are in for a hefty repair bill, but get to a
garage immediately befor your breaks fail.
If the frequency of the noise rises and falls
with the speed you are traveling it may be torn rubber (a weak area in the
tires construction) or a flat spot (a worn area that makes the tire no longer
perfectly round). In either case you have a potentially hazardous problem.
Have this problem checked out immediately by you mechanic. You may need
an alignment or new tires.
A Loud Roaring Or Popping Sound If this sound is rythmic and rises in intensity as you rev your engine, or your car suddenly sounds like a Harley Davidson, you may have a hole or a leak in the muffler or exhaust system. Although it is annoying (and illegal), it won't hurt your car. It's probably a good idea to get it fixed as soon as possible.