If your car is making a strange noise, you could just ignore it and hope it goes away. But nine times out of ten, it won’t go away and it will only get worse. It could be a sign that there is something seriously wrong and it might even be dangerous to drive your car, so it’s important that you know how to diagnose these noises. So, what’s that strange noise coming from your car?
Pinging in the Engine
A pinging noise coming from the engine could a piston rod out of place or a more simple answer that you’re using the wrong kind of fuel.
Most high-performance cars will ask for over 91 octane. If you put anything less in there, the engine will not know how to burn the fuel and the timing will be off.
Scraping And Grinding
There are a couple of reasons for scraping and grinding noises and it’s important to take note of when it’s happening. If there is a scraping sound every time you hit the brakes, you better get online and do a search for a brake shop near me because your brake pads are severely worn down. The scraping sound comes from the metal backing to the pads rubbing against the brake disc rotors and wearing them down. If you don’t replace the pads right away, you could do a lot of damage to your brakes and the car will not be safe to drive.
A grinding noise can also be caused by problems with the clutch or the transmission. If you notice the noise when you change gears and it also feels quite clunky, you may need to replace your clutch. It might be a more serious problem with the transmission as well, so you should get it checked out immediately.
Clunking
Clunking is another sound that can indicate a number of different problems. If you notice a clunking sound when you drive over potholes or rough ground, the chances are that you have a problem with your suspension. You can avoid this with regular suspension servicing for your car but if the damage is already done, you will need to replace it.
Clunking sounds can also be an indication of worn brakes, so it’s not just the scraping that you should listen out for. Any clunking when you turn a corner could be a sign that your steering needs to be adjusted or you have a problem with your tires, so make sure to check both. Worn or damaged tires can be very dangerous, so you should never ignore a strange clunking noise.
Groaning
Groaning noises are almost always associated with the steering. In most cases, it is because a component in the power steering isn’t working as it should and the system is struggling. This isn’t something to be ignored because if the problem gets worse, you could lose control of the car entirely.
Knocking Or Pinging
Any strange noises from the engine are a cause for concern and knocking or pinging is one of the most common. In many cases, it could be a sign that your engine is not tuned properly, so you should get it in for a checkup straight away. It also happens if you fill your car with the wrong fuel, so if you suddenly notice it after a trip to the gas station, you’ll need to call a recovery vehicle straight away.
It’s tempting to ignore these noises and hope that they go away but they could be a sign of something very wrong, so always take your car to get looked at.
