Listen for Strange Noises
I don’t mean in your head - we are referring to your car, and how listening to what it’s trying to tell you is a really good idea. Especially when you don’t have a car service on a regular basis.
After having your car for a while, you get used to the regular sounds, a bit like when your bones are creaking from time to time, and you know it’s normal because maybe you are getting on a bit; however, other unexplainable noises should be checked out. Making noises is probably the nearest your car can get to telling you there is a problem, before it breaks down.
• A screeching sound when you hit the brakes is a pretty good indicator you need new brake pads, don’t let that noise continue too long or you could be up for a lot bigger expense than just brake pads.
• When you are turning the front wheels and you hear them clicking, it’s not a bad idea to get the front shaft checked before it breaks apart.
• Driving along and you think you hear a gunshot only to realise your car just backfired, is something you need to check out pretty quick, or you could be in trouble.
• If you hear squealing from under the bonnet, and providing nothing is trapped there, check out your fan belt, it’s quite likely to be the cause.
• You’re cruising along and it starts to sound like you’re on a train with a clicking along the rails. But since you are on the road and not train tracks, checking the cause makes sense. It could be quite simple like something stuck in your tyre threads, but it’s worth having a look at your wheel bearings.
• You hear knocking and it’s not at the door, but from your engine. Maybe you need to change gears, but if it’s not that simple, time to get in touch with your mechanic and get your engine checked.
Sometimes you can’t put a name to the noise but you know it’s just not right - get it checked out, better to be safe than sorry.