My Car Is Making a Noise. What Does This Noise Mean?

TL;DR

The same car noise can have many different causes, so no one can tell you for sure what it is over the phone or online.
Screeching and grinding are the most common noises we hear about and grinding when you brake should be checked right away.
The best next step is simple: call LMT at (410) 730-3839, then bring the car in so we can inspect it, find the cause, and fix it right.

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Here’s a question we hear at the shop just about every day: “My car is making a noise. What is that?”

Sometimes people call us and try to make the sound over the phone. Honestly, we appreciate the effort! But the truth is, the same noise can come from a lot of different problems. A squeal might be your brakes, or it might be a belt. A grinding sound might be brake pads, or it might be a wheel bearing. Two people can describe the exact same sound, and it can turn out to be two completely different repairs.

That’s why anything we tell you over the phone, or anything you read online, including this article, is really just a guess. The only way to know for sure is to have the car in the shop and inspect it in person.

With that in mind, let’s walk through some common noises, a few of the things they can point to, and what you should do next.

What Does a Screeching or Squealing Noise Mean?

If it happens when you brake: One common cause is low brake pads. Many brake pads have a small metal tab built in called a wear indicator, and when the pads get low, that tab rubs the rotor and makes a high-pitched squeal. But a brake squeal can also come from other things, so it’s worth having it checked.

If it happens when you start the car or turn the wheel: It could be a belt, like the serpentine belt that runs your alternator, power steering, and A/C. Belts can get worn, glazed, or loose over time and start to squeal, especially on cold or damp mornings. It could also be something else in the system, which is why we want to see it.

What to do: Don’t ignore it. A squeal is usually the cheapest point to catch a problem. Give us a call and bring it in so we can take a look before it turns into something bigger.

What Does a Grinding Noise Mean?

If it happens when you brake: This is the one we don’t want you to wait on. Grinding when you brake can mean the pads are worn down to metal, which can damage the rotors fast and affect how well your car stops. It can have other causes too, but anything involving your brakes should be looked at right away.

If it happens while you’re driving or turning: A grinding or growling sound that changes with speed can be a worn wheel bearing, among other possibilities.

If it happens when you shift gears: Grinding while shifting may point to a transmission or clutch issue, but it takes an inspection to know for sure.

What to do: Call us right away. If your brakes are grinding, the sooner we see it, the better, both for your safety and your wallet. If you’re not comfortable driving the car in, we offer 24-hour emergency towing at (410) 740-8822.

What About Other Noises?

Screeching and grinding are the big two, but they’re not the only ones. Here’s a quick guide to some other sounds we hear about:

The Noise	When You Hear It	A Few Possible Causes
Clicking or popping	When turning, especially in a parking lot	A worn CV joint or axle
Clunking	Going over bumps or potholes	Worn suspension or steering parts
Humming or whirring	Gets louder as you speed up	A wheel bearing or uneven tire wear
Knocking or pinging	Under the hood while accelerating	An engine issue that needs attention
Hissing	Under the hood, often after you park	A coolant or vacuum leak
Rattling	Underneath the car	A loose heat shield or exhaust part

Keep in mind, this table is not a diagnosis. Every one of these noises can have several different causes, and two noises that sound alike can be completely different problems. Please don’t use this list to decide what’s wrong with your car. Use it as a reason to call us.

So What Should I Do When My Car Makes a Noise?

It really comes down to two simple steps.

Step 1: Call LMT and ask us.

Give us a call at (410) 730-3839. Tell us what you’re hearing and when it happens. Is it when you brake? When you turn? When you first start the car? Is it getting louder? That information helps us get a sense of how urgent it might be and get you on the schedule. It won’t tell us exactly what’s wrong, but it’s the right first step.

Step 2: Bring the car in so we can find it and fix it.

Here’s the honest truth: we can’t fix a noise over the phone. The only way to know for sure what’s going on is to get the car in the shop, hear it for ourselves, and get it up on a lift. Once we find the cause, we’ll explain what we found in plain language and get it fixed right.

Why Not Just Wait and See?

We get it. Nobody wants a surprise repair bill. But noises rarely fix themselves. In most cases, a noise is the early sign of a part wearing out, and catching it early usually means a smaller, less expensive repair. A squeal today can turn into a grinding brake job with new rotors next month.

And when it comes to brakes, steering, and wheel bearings, it’s not just about cost. It’s about your safety and everyone else’s on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to drive my car if it’s making a noise?

It depends on the noise. A light belt squeal might not be urgent, but grinding brakes or a loud clunk in the steering should be checked right away. When in doubt, call us and ask.

Why does my car only make the noise sometimes?

Some noises only show up under certain conditions, like cold weather, braking, turning, or going over bumps. Make a note of when it happens and tell us when you call. It helps a lot.

Can you tell what the noise is over the phone?

Not for sure. The same noise can have many different causes, so anything we say over the phone would only be a guess. We can help you decide how urgent it sounds, but to find the real cause and fix it right, we need to inspect the car in person.

Will a noise go away on its own?

Rarely. Most noises are an early sign that a part is wearing out, and they usually get worse over time. Catching it early often means a smaller, less expensive repair.

What if my car makes a noise and I don’t feel safe driving it?

Don’t risk it. Call our 24-hour emergency towing line at (410) 740-8822, and we can get your vehicle to the shop.

Hear Something? Call LMT Auto Repair.

Since 1993, LMT Auto Repair has helped drivers in Columbia and Central Maryland figure out what’s wrong and get it fixed right. Our ASE-certified technicians will listen, diagnose it accurately, and explain everything before we do the work.

Call us at (410) 730-3839 or schedule an appointment online.

6440 A Dobbin Center Way, Columbia, MD 21045

24-Hour Emergency Towing: (410) 740-8822