Odd noises from a car and what they could mean

As cars age they need to be cared for more. The conditions of our roads do not help either as they wear out mechanical parts sooner than they should. This combined with the neglect of certain car owner leaves many cars on the road in desperate need for care and maintenance. It should always be kept in mind that a mechanically faulty vehicle can be a safety hazard to you and your family. The easiest way to become aware about faulty mechanical parts is by the odd noises that a vehicle starts making when parts wear out.  

Here is what some of those sounds mean

• Clicking sound from while steering the car in corners means that the front shaft is about to fall apart. If it is not replaced immediately it can break and one or both of the front wheels can fall apart. 

• Rhythmic clicks from the wheels could mean faulty bearings 

• Engine knocks indicates that you have to change down to a lower gear as there is too much stress on the engine and gearbox. If the sound persists the engine oil needs to be checked and the engine itself could need to be checked.

• A change in engine note could mean that the engine is overheating. This can happen due to low coolant or driving on a lower gear at speeds that are too high for the gear. Stop the car, let it cool, check the coolant and radiator levels before driving off again.

• If the engine backfires (which can be identified buy a small explosion) while normal driving means that an immediate check up is required.

• ‘Hiccups’ while driving indicates dirty fuel which can clog up the injectors. If you notice any drop in fuel efficiency, or in acceleration, get the injectors cleaned.

• Uneven tyre pressure can be identified when the tyres shudder under braking. 

• When there is a squealing noise from the fan belt its time to get it replaced or it may snap anytime leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere.

• Unexplained shudders under braking could indicate faulty linkages or suspension problems.

• Squeaking noises when the car is moving is a result of worn out suspension components such as tie rod ends, sway bar end links, etc. It’s best to let a mechanic inspect the source of the noise so that the problem can be correctly dealt with.

• If there is a squealing sound every time you hit the brakes on your car its time to get the brake pads replaced. 

• Grinding noise while engaging gear occurs due to a faulty synchroniser in the gear box. Take the car to a work shop and have it replaced.