Have you been hearing strange noises from under your car while accelerating or taking turns? Those clunks, clicks, or grinding sounds might be coming from your drive shaft. Its purpose is to transfer power from your transmission to the wheels, and when it starts making noise, it’s telling you that something’s wrong. Let’s look at … Read more
That sudden rattling sound coming from underneath your car whenever you hit a bump can be more than just annoying. It may be that there’s a serious mechanical issue that needs attention. Many drivers ignore these noises, hoping they’ll go away on their own. But doing that can cause a minor repair to turn into … Read more
Hearing a strange humming sound from your car can be both frustrating and worrying. Is it safe to keep driving? How much will it cost to fix? While car noises can be tricky to diagnose, a humming sound typically points to a specific set of problems. Some are quick and cheap fixes, while others might … Read more
That squealing under the hood when you start your car in the morning is no harmless noise. It’s an audible clue that your serpentine belt needs attention. This vital belt powers vital accessories like the alternator, AC compressor, and power steering pump by linking them to the crankshaft’s rotation. When this drive belt starts glazing, … Read more
Do you have a noisy, rattly engine? Perhaps you hear a rhythmic ticking noise coming from under the hood. No matter the type of unusual sound, one’s thoughts automatically begin to turn toward impending engine failure and the headache such an issue might cause. Sometimes ticking is normal and expected. Sometimes a tick needs to … Read more
Road trips are supposed to be fun, but a loud ride hinders the experience. The only thing more annoying than your kids chanting “are we there yet” is a constant rattle that won’t seem to go away. Not only are rattles annoying, they can be a sign of a much more serious issue. It’s important … Read more
Exhaust systems are like musical instruments that can be tuned to give your vehicle the perfect sound. Their shape and size can even affect how your vehicle drives. Since combustion engines are big air pumps, a freer flowing exhaust will usually give you more horsepower. This is because performance exhausts are less restrictive and allow … Read more
Every vehicle has its own unique exhaust sound. Some sound like a jet engine, some give off a low rumble, and others sound like a droning lawnmower. These sounds come from careful engineering of your car’s exhaust system, particularly the muffler. When a hole develops in your muffler or exhaust pipe, it disrupts this design … Read more
Windshield wipers are cheap and simple components that are often overlooked during basic maintenance. When it starts raining after a long sunny stretch, you want to make sure your windshield wipers work properly so you’re able to see out of the windshield. If your windshield wipers start squeaking or skipping one day, you’ll want to … Read more
You may have arrived at this page listening to your own car’s piercing siren blaring in the background after frantically Googling for things like, “Can a low battery cause a car alarm to go off?” Even though you’ve checked and found no hoodlums around your car, the alarm persists. If you can’t turn it off … Read more