Every driver recognizes their car sound, but how many times an uncommon sound has been ignored? This is definitely not the best thing to do since your car is talking to you and telling you that something is not right.
Let's discuss some car noises that should not be ignored:
1. Steering wheel:
This might indicate that it is not properly attached to the car. In most of the cases, this is the result of a loose lug nut that was not tightened the last time you replaced that wheel. We urge you to take your car to the mechanic workshop.
2. Clapping noise when maneuvering:
It is very likely that the CV (constant velocity) joint, part of the CV axle, is worn out. The CV joint is in charge of driving the engine's power to the drive wheel at a constant speed. In case the CV joint bellow is broken then it loses all its greasing.
3. A screech that speeds up when accelerating:
Regardless of the kind of car you drive; four-wheel or rear-wheel drive, there are high chances that this is caused by the U-joint. This is a signal that your car needs to be immediately checked by a mechanic.
4. Noisy brakes
This noise is related to the brake pad in most of the cases. It is a signal that it is time to replace them. In case the noise gets louder, we advise you to visit the mechanic at the earliest possible since it means pads are so worn out that the metal surfaces are touching each other, affecting braking efficiency and your car security.
5. Thudding noise from your wheels:
First, check if the problem does not come from a flat tire. If not, the reason could be a low air pressure on it or that the tires are unaligned. This problem can affect fuel efficiency and tires' lifespan.
Last but not least, to be safe one can also use an OBD2 diagnostic tool like the Carista adapter to see if any fault code pops up and shows some hidden problem with the vehicle.