Car Sounds That Mean Danger

Posted on: 14 February 2017

Car problems come at varying degrees, and it is easy to ignore the minor problems because they usually don't prevent the car from moving. The major ones, however, are difficult to ignore. An engine failure, for instance, is an issue that requires immediate attention.

Most of the time, a car doesn't break down without giving some kind of warning. Weird sounds are usually generated from the compartment that is about to break down, and these are the sounds that you should pay attention to. Ignoring the warning sounds may prove costly in the end.

Brake Sounds

Driving a car with a faulty brake system is tantamount to suicide, so it is important to check with your mechanic once you hear unusual sounds coming from your brakes. A scraping sound indicates that there is an object such as a rock in your brake system. A squealing or thumping sound coming from the brake area indicates that the rotors of your brake system are rusty. This is normally caused by parking the car outdoors.

The most dangerous of all is the grinding sound. It is the sound that says your brake pads are worn out, and it basically tells you to stop driving; otherwise, you may unwillingly collide with another car. Brake problems are complicated and require the expertise of a professional to fix.  

Suspension Sounds

You simply can't afford to ignore the sounds that are produced by faulty parts of the suspension system. Just like the brake system, a faulty suspension system requires the immediate attention of a mechanic. If something is wrong with your suspension, you may hear a knocking sound when turning corners or when you are going over a bump. When going over a bump, you may also get a squeaking sound. This means that some parts of your steering are wearing out.  Another warning sound is the hinge-like sound that you get from a rusty door. This sound is produced when the car is bouncing up and down.

Other Sounds

A hissing sound is not a good sign. It implies that your engine is hot and overheating. Engines normally overheat due to hot weather conditions or due to loss of coolant in the radiator. Fortunately though, an overheating engine is one of the problems that you can fix yourself.

First turn off the A/C of your car to reduce the work load of the engine. Park your car and put it neutral. The next step is to rev the engine; this step will increase the working rate of the water pump and the fan, which is exactly what you need at such a moment. Then get out of the car and open the hood to release hot air and increase circulation of fresh air.

But be careful when you are opening the hood; hot air could come out in a blasting fashion. Give the engine some time to cool down, say an hour. And if you feel like adding more water to the radiator to enhance the cooling, only do so when the engine has cooled.

For more information, contact local professionals like Moore Truck Parts.

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