Car noises can mean a whole host of things – depending when they happen and where they come from – which makes it hard for the untrained ear to work out what’s wrong.
To help you better understand the moans and groans of your vehicle, here’s our guide to what some of those noises mean and when you need to get help...
What do I do if my car makes a noise?
Hearing your car making an unusual noise can be a worry for any motorist but don’t panic.
Listen to the noise and if it sounds like an immediate concern, then pull over and get a mechanic to look at it as soon as possible.
To help you find a mechanic you can trust, the RAC Approved Garage Network only includes garages that provide quality work and exceptional customer service, giving you peace of mind if your car needs attention.
And just in case the worst should happen out on the roads, make sure you have the correct breakdown cover in place.
FIND YOUR NEAREST GARAGE: Book online for a check-up
My car is making a noise when idling
Clicking
If you start your car and it continues to make a clicking sound after you’ve let it sit for a while, it could be a sign of low oil pressure, which will need some professional attention sooner rather than later.
Hissing
If there’s a hissing sound coming from under your bonnet while your car’s idling, your engine might be overheating, which can be a serious problem.
However, it could also mean that you’ve got a vacuum leak somewhere, which should be easy to fix once you’ve managed to locate it.
My car is making a noise when accelerating
Slapping
If you can hear a slapping sound that seems to increase in tempo as you increase your speed, one of your tyres could be on its last legs.
Driving on a flat or damaged tyre can cause lasting damage to your wheels so if the slapping starts, stop driving.
Grinding
If your gear stick is grinding while you’re shifting up through the gears, it could mean your clutch is worn out or your shift linkage needs adjusting.
Grinding could also signify a deeper problem within the transmission.
Chirping
If you hear a chirping sound coming from your wheel that changes when you accelerate, it doesn’t mean there’s a budgie caught under the bodywork.
Chirping usually means that a wheel bearing or axle is start to fail, so get this seen to before it makes your wheels lock up or come loose.
My car is making a noise when cruising
Squealing
A high-pitched squealing when you’re driving could well mean that your accessory belt (or “V-belt”) is telling you that it’s close to the end.
If your belt breaks or snaps then your car won’t run anymore, so get it looked at as soon as possible to avoid a breakdown.
Rattling
Unfortunately, if you hear a rattling when you’re driving it can be difficult to pin down the problem as it can mean any number of things depending on where the sound is coming from.
If the rattle is underneath your car, that could mean a loose exhaust system component or a broken catalytic converter, which would both require a mechanic’s attention.
If something under the bonnet is rattling, it could be anything from problems with oil level to a bad fan clutch, so if the noise persists check the car into a garage.
If the rattling is coming from inside the car, then it could simply be a loose bit of plastic or even something clattering around in your glove compartment which, although annoying, is very easy to fix.
Ticking
A ticking coming from under the bonnet can mean that the engine is low on oil, so make sure you check your levels before heading to the garage.
If your oil levels are fine, then a ticking or tapping could mean a deeper issue with your valve train.
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My car is making a noise when turning
Grinding
With power steering fitted as standard on modern models, it’s safe to say we’re spoilt when it comes to steering our cars.
But if you’re running low on power steering fluid, your car will soon let you know by a grinding noise caused by air bubbles trapped in the fluid.
Clicking
If you’re taking a tight turn at low speed and your car is making a grinding noise, which could mean that your CV axle (which connects the wheels to the transmission) is damaged or worn out.
A worn-out CV joint needs replacing immediately, so contact the garage right away. You can even call out a mobile mechanic to your home or place of work if you do need a repair.
Service, repair or MOT?
You can trust the RAC with our local approved garages and NEW mobile mechanics.
My car is making a noise when braking
Squeaking
If your car squeaks or squeals when you apply the brakes, your brake pads are telling you that it’s time to replace them.
Brake pads have built-in indicators which alert drivers when they wear down, so call your mechanic and arrange to fit some replacement pads.
Grinding
If you hear your brakes grinding that probably means you’ve missed the squeaking warning signs and have waited too long to replace your brake pads.
You need to book your car into the mechanics as soon as possible.
Clicking
A clicking or scraping in your brakes could mean that one or more components in your braking system is damaged, or it might mean that there’s a stone or something stuck in your brake.
Either way, this needs to be looked at by a professional to prevent any long-term damage.
My car is making a noise after the engine turns off
Clicking
If your car makes a metallic clicking sound after you switch off the engine, it’s just the sound of the engine cooling down.
It’s nothing to worry about and will stop of its own accord fairly quickly.
Hissing
A hissing or sizzling sound coming from under the bonnet when you’ve shut the engine off isn’t a good sign because it means something somewhere is leaking onto a heated engine component.
Be careful investigating under the bonnet in case you get burnt, and book your vehicle into the garage. Check out our full car care section which includes servicing, MOTs and even mobile mechanics.
The best way to stay ahead of car issues before they develop is to get it looked at by an expert regularly. You can keep on track with your car's maintenance and save money by getting a service or MOT plan to spread the cost over two years. Travelling abroad? Ensure you get European breakdown cover, in case you do hear unusual noises from your car on your trip away.
Got any more mystery noises coming from your vehicle? Let us know in the comments below or ask the friendly and knowledgeable RAC community.
Service, repair or MOT?
You can trust the RAC with our local approved garages and NEW mobile mechanics.
