Car Repair: The Warning Sounds You Need To Know

Major car repair bills can sometimes be avoided by catching problems before they get out of hand. When a mechanic can get his hands on a problem early, sometimes a simple fix will do. Of course, in order to take advantage of this ideal situation, you have to be willing to take your vehicle in at the first sign of trouble. Fortunately, your vehicle will give you warning signs. Often, the signs will come in the form of sounds. If your first response to hearing an unusual sound is to turn up the radio, stop! Your vehicle won't repair itself. Get it before a mechanic and save yourself some big money down the line.

Grinding From the Brakes

This is a sound that should never be ignored. While a squealing sound can mean a variety of things, a grinding sound usually means the car's brakes are pushing into the rotor. This means the pads have been worn away completely and damage is being done. This can take a toll on your braking distance and if you don't get it fixed soon, you might have to pay for new rotors along with new brake pads. Avoid this larger cost and get your car repair done as soon as possible.

Roaring Sound

A roaring sound coming from the engine could mean you have a leak in the exhaust. You might notice an increase in this sound when you accelerate. This isn't to be confused with the usual sounds your vehicle makes on acceleration, but rather a louder sound that you haven't noticed in the past. Get it checked out by a mechanic and avoid the potential for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be dangerous for any passengers in your vehicle.

Hissing

Ever notice a hissing sound coming from the engine? This could mean a few things, but what you need to be concerned about is your vehicle overheating. It could mean your coolant is leaking. Keep a close eye on your temperature gauge, as this will tell you if your vehicle is getting too warm. An overheated vehicle could lead to huge car repair bills in short order. Don't take chances. Get your vehicle into a good mechanic and get the problem taken care of.

Chirping

A chirping sound emitting from the area of the wheels is a small sound that could mean big problems. In many instances, it could indicate that you have a bearing on the verge of failing. If this happens, your wheel could come completely detached. It isn't hard to imagine why this would not be something you want to happen while driving down the highway. See a mechanic and get the car repair you need.