I know. You’re thinking about the add on TV where the people go into the repair shop and make noises and the mechanic tries to guess what they are. Car noises are concerning, and if you are hearing one, you’re probably trying to figure it out.

Tire Noise
One of the most common unusual noises you might encounter is tire noise. In fact, tires can make a variety of abnormal noises, each one potentially letting you know of a different probable issue. It’s important to be able to understand not just that your tires are making some kind of strange noise, but what that noise is and what it might mean for your car’s health.

Squealing Noise
Almost everyone has encountered this one – Your tires squealing when you turn the steering wheel. As long as you’re not pulling tight turns at great speeds (not a great idea in general), your tires shouldn’t be squealing.

The most likely culprit for squealing tires is one or more underinflated tire. If you’re hearing squealing, that probably means you need to add some air to your tires. Over time, underinflated tires can cause a variety of problems for your tires, suspension and other parts of your car, so it’s wise to address underinflated tires as soon as possible.

Humming Noise
Another fairly common issue you might run into are tires that increasingly seem to hum as you drive. Keep in mind that tires will make some noise naturally on most road surfaces, and this is perfectly fine. But when that humming increases to a certain level, its an indication of a problem.

In this case, the number one reason for abnormal tire humming tends to be tires with uneven tread wear. Tires can wear unevenly for a number of reasons – a problem with the suspension, faulty wheel bearings, and/or several other causes can result in tires with uneven wear patterns.

To prevent uneven tire wear, you should regularly get your wheels rotated and have a wheel alignment performed routinely. This will balance out the natural discrepancies in wear over time. Getting your wheel bearings and suspension inspected if you suspect your tires are wearing unevenly is also a good move.

Thudding or Slapping Noise
If you’re hearing thudding or slapping noises coming from your tires as you drive, this suggests a problem that’s potentially larger than the others previously mentioned. Thudding noises can mean anything from severely underinflated tires to suspension and alignment issues, and it’s likely an issue needing to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Significant tire noises like these are an indicator that you might be on the verge of blowing out a tire or suffering major damage to your suspension. You don’t want to be driving very long without getting an inspection by a trained professional if you’re hearing noises along these lines.

Brake Noise
Another very common class of abnormal car noises are noises that occur when you’re braking. The process of braking the car is one of the most stressful in terms of wear and tear on your car, as bringing all that momentum to a halt requires a huge amount of energy. While you might hear minimal noise when you brake under normal circumstances, the process should be fairly silent. If you’re hearing strange sounds as you brake, that’s probably an indicator of an issue.

Rattling
If you hear a slight rattling sound when you let up on the brakes, this may not mean you have a problem with your brakes. Brake pads expand due to the incredible heat generated by friction, and a little rattling may be normal due to natural movement of the brake pads.

However, it’s worth noting a couple things about brake rattling: Number one, You should never hear a rattle when you’re pressing down on the brake pedal, and number two, you shouldn’t consistently hear a rattle. If either of these is taking place, you may have an issue with your brake pads.

Lim’s Auto Body is a full service auto body and mechanical repair shop locally owned and operated in Largo, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.limsautobody.com or call (727) 422-3232.

Wow. Here it is in mid July. Over 90 every day. When I get into my car, sometimes I wonder how the car is handling all this heat. It can’t be good for a car. There are a few things you should be aware of.

Air Conditioning: If your vehicle’s interior cabin is hard to cool down or it isn’t blowing air hard enough you probably need to have your A/C checked out. Driving long distances is rough enough without having to deal with being hot and staying hydrated.
Fluids: Just as people need water your vehicle requires certain fluids to be happy and work efficiently. Ensure that you have enough coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid.

Battery: Having your battery inspected or checked out is also very important during heat waves and high temps. It can take a lot out of your battery and your vehicle’s electrical system. Additionally, heat can accelerate corrosion. We suggest cleaning corrosive build up around your battery’s terminals and tighten clamps as well to ensure a good connection.

Leaks: Check out your vehicle in the morning by moving it and look for leaks or puddles. Usually, you can identify what is leaking by the color and/or smell. If you have a leak, definitely have your car inspected.

Hoses & Belts: Heat can and will increase chances of failure in many things including belts and hoses. A busted belt or leaking hose can lead to one or more problems, including but not limited to; a loss of steering, overheated radiator, or engine failure that can result in a broken down car.

Tires: Tires are made of rubber and rubber can have a reacting to high temperatures. Blacktop and asphalt roads absorb and retain heat, which also adds intensity to the high outside temperatures. Properly inflated tires are important to avoid a blowout. If underinflated, more of the tires surface area comes in contact with the road, in turn, increasing the chance of a blowout.

Windshield Cracks: Minor cracks or dings in your windshield may grow and extend into larger problems in heat and direct sunlight. Have them fixed when they happen. The smaller the crack, the easier it is to fix and could possibly less expensive than a large or sizeable crack.

Monitor Gauges: Keep an eye on not only your gas but also oil and engine gauges. Avoiding running out of gas or pulling over before your car overheats can save you a lot of time and trouble. Have back up fluids and water in case of a roadside emergency. It could save you valuable time, money, and sanity from not having to stand in the heat on the side of the road while waiting for help.

Lim’s Auto Body is a full service auto body and mechanical repair shop locally owned and operated in Largo, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.limsautobody.com or call (727) 422-3232.