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Strange Noises Your Car Makes and What They Mean

Strange Noises Your Car Makes and What They Mean

One minute you’re driving smoothly, and the next, your car starts to sound like something is dying under the hood. Such unusual sounds aren’t just annoying; they may also hint that something is seriously wrong with your vehicle. To avoid putting your safety at risk and causing your vehicle further damage, get to the root cause of the noise, and resolve the issue immediately. Here are some of the most common strange noises your car may make and what they mean.

Grinding noises when shifting gears

One of the most common reasons why your car is making grinding noises is due to a faulty transmission. When a transmission is failing, you’ll likely hear grinding sounds when shifting gears and changing speeds. These noises hint that your transmission’s synchronizers are functioning improperly.

Because the transmission is one of the most important components of a vehicle and is essential for delivering the proper amount of power to the wheels, you’ll want to investigate these noises immediately. Make sure to purchase the necessary transmission replacements parts, and get your transmission repaired as soon as possible to avoid total vehicle failure.

Squeaking brakes

Squeaking breaks is a common strange noise that cars make. Often, the high-pitched noise indicates an issue with your vehicle’s brake pads—or brake shoes in older vehicles. When brake pads wear out, they typically make this noise to warn drivers that they need replacement. In some instances, though, the sound may mean that the pads are just overheated instead of worn out.

In either case, the brake pad indicator rubs up against the rotor and produces a screeching sound coming from the vehicle’s tires. While this is not an emergency, it’s best to resolve such issues promptly since effective braking is crucial for driving safety.

Flapping noises

Flapping noises typically mean one of two things: either your vehicle has a worn-out ventilation flap or a broken fan belt in its engine. Both are relatively easy and inexpensive fixes. However, while a worn-out ventilation flap is a minor inconvenience, a broken fan belt prevents your engine from staying cool and could result in significant vehicle damage if you ignore it. As such, you’ll want to schedule a visit to the mechanic to determine the exact cause of the flapping and get the issue resolved.

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