Common Car Noises and What They Mean
One day you’re driving down the road and you switch the radio off to hear your car is making a noise it shouldn’t be. When did that start? What’s causing it?
You might choose to ignore the noise, turn the radio back on and pretend you never heard it, but you should pay attention as your car is trying to tell you something.
If your car is making an unusual noise, here’s a list of the common ones and what they might mean.
Squealing or grinding when you brake
This is probably caused by worn-out brake pads meaning the calipers are grinding against the rotors. This is an issue that should be dealt with and not just ignored. Take your car to the garage to find out why your brakes are squeaking and you’ll most likely need new brake pads. Hard braking causes brake pads to wear down quicker, so being more careful when pressing the brakes will help them to last longer.
Metal scraping from your wheel
If you can hear a loud scraping noise coming from your wheel when you drive, it can be caused by a few reasons. A common issue is an object such as a stone becoming lodged under the brake pad which can sound like there is something dragging along the floor. This is usually a quick fix that requires taking the wheel off and dislodging the object. If you take your car to a garage they will be able to help you. If you hear screeching while accelerating it could be caused by damage to the brake pads or wheel bearing.
Thudding noise from your tyres
If your tyres have low air pressure they may make a thudding noise while you drive, so check that they are inflated to the recommended levels. This information is usually written on a sticker on the inside of your car door. If this isn’t the problem it may be that your tyres are worn irregularly because of improper alignment. You can get them realigned at a garage and this will get rid of the noise as well as give you a smoother more fuel-efficient drive.
Clicking noise when your car is idle
If your car is making a clicking or ticking noise even after you’ve let it sit for a while, it may mean it’s low on oil or you have low oil pressure. Oil is needed to provide sufficient lubrication to the engine and if there isn’t enough it can cause it to seize up or cause damage beyond repair. The best way to check your oil is to check your dipstick and see if the oil level is between the minimum and maximum line. If the oil level is fine, you may want to take it to a garage to get the car checked thoroughly.
If you’re in need of an MOT or service to check your car is in working order, Caledonia Vehicle Solutions is a professional garage based in Ayr providing quality services. We also sell and buy used cars and offer leasing on new vehicles. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services.