Is Your Car Haunted Or Does It Just Need To Be Serviced?

As we are creeping closer and closer to Halloween, you might be wondering if the strange sounds in your car are from angry spirits or just due to the fact you are in need of an auto repair appointment from Wrench's ASE-certified mobile mechanics. Odds are, it's probably the second option, but let's break down some of the sounds you might be hearing and what they mean for you and your car.

Common Sounds Signaling An Auto Repair Service

1. Clicking
   If the clicking sound is coming from your car's engine, you might just need an oil change. If you change the oil and the sound doesn't go away, you should book an appointment with our mobile mechanics so we can take a look and figure out what the issue is for you. If the clicking sound occurs when you drive over bumps on the road, there could be an issue with your strut or sway bars. For problems with strut or sway bars, you will want to get in contact with a professional because solving these problems might take specialized tools and parts.
2. Knocking
   Now this can be a tricky one. At first you might be thinking that the angry spirits are trying to get out of the car. If you are too scared to take a look around your car, leave it to our mobile mechanics! Knocking sounds can be a sign that there is a major issue with your ignition and require an immediate inspection. When it comes to your ignition system, there can be many things that could go wrong, so this is best left to a professional regardless of how worried you are about the spirits.
3. Squealing
   Squealing sounds are never good when it comes to your car. If you hear squealing coming from your brakes, that means your brake pads are probably worn out. The squealing can turn into scraping very quickly and, once that happens, you could be causing a lot of damage to your car. So make sure you hire a mobile mechanic to inspect your brakes if you suspect that is the issue. If the squealing is coming from somewhere under the hood of your car, there is probably an issue with your serpentine belt. This means your serpentine belt is about to break because it has worn out enough to make squealing noises. If the belt breaks, you won't be able to drive your car.
4. Slapping or Flapping
   This sound typically comes from the AC system. Although slapping or flapping noises aren't a good thing, you can rest easy knowing it isn't a sign that your car is haunted. In all seriousness, this means there is a loose ventilation flap which isn't a super urgent issue, but you should still get it checked out when you have the time. Once you get this problem solved, you will have the peace of mind knowing your car is functioning properly and it isn't haunted. That seems like a win-win situation to us!
5. Roaring
   If you hear roaring near the drivers seat, it's probably not a bunch of snarling demons ready to attack you. It is most likely an issue with your car exhaust system. If you hear it clearly from inside your vehicle, carbon monoxide gas could be leaking inside. Although this isn't a demon, it is still deadly! You should book an appointment with our mobile mechanics before using your car again just to be safe.
6. Squeaking
   Squeaking sounds can be very creepy and alarming. However, when it comes to your car, they can occur fairly often. Typically squeaking comes from the steering wheel. Usually when this happens, it's indicating that your steering wheel needs more power steering fluid. The squeaking should go away after that, but if it doesn't then you need to get in contact with a mobile mechanic. If the squeaking fails to go away, there might be some bigger issues to deal with.
7. Grinding
   If you apply pressure to your brakes and you hear a grinding sound, that means that you brake pads are completely worn out. If this is the case, that's not a good sign for your car. Not only is the sound painful to hear, but your brakes won't be working properly. This could lead to an accident which could end up costing your life. So book your appointment with Wrench right away if you hear grinding noises!
8. Popping
   While popping sounds aren't as spooky as some of the other sounds we have mentions, they shouldn't be overlooked! A popping sound could be the result of wide variety of problems, so we recommend that you schedule a diagnostic appointment with one of our mobile mechanics as soon as possible. You might have to replace your spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, or even more.
9. Buzzing
   Just like popping noises, buzzing sounds can be the result of many different issues when it comes to your car. To find the source of the buzzing sounds for once and for all, book a diagnostic appointment with our mobile mechanics. If you are still scared that your car is haunted, don't worry about it! You can leave the inspection to us and we will make sure the sound goes away and your car is cleared for the road.
10. Hissing
    If you happen to step out of your car after a drive and hear hissing sounds coming from under the hood, don't get spooked! It probably means that there is a leak of some sort that needs to be repaired. If this is the case, you will need to contact a professional to take a look and fix the leak. There's no need to be scared of this sound, so take a deep breath and book your appointment with Wrench today!

For more information on why your car might be making strange sounds, click here.

Sounds That Should NOT Be Coming From Your Car

1. Laughing
   Whether you hear a deep, booming laugh or a high pitched cackling, that is not normal. You should never, ever hear laughing sounds coming from your car! If you are hearing laughing sounds, turn off your car and move very far away from it. Ideally you would want to get a new car, but we understand if that's not in your budget.
2. Crying
   If you hear a baby crying in your car, please check the back seat. If you don't have any babies in your car, you should be alarmed. Again, turn off your car and get as far away as possible. If you do have a baby in your car, take care of it and hopefully it will stop crying.
3. Screaming
   There should be no screaming in your car unless something problematic is happening on the road. Pay attention to where you are driving and follow the traffic laws. If you pull over and there is screaming, check your passengers. If you are alone in your car or the passengers are silent, that could be a sign of paranormal activity. Unfortunately, Wrench can't help you get rid of any demons or spirits in your car, but feel free to book an appointment if you would like us to inspect it for any other mechanical errors.

Taking care of your car is very important. At Wrench, we recommend that you stay on top of your routine maintenance schedule and take care of any issues that arise immediately. Ignoring strange sounds, whether normal or paranormal, can cause you a lot of stress. Give yourself peace of mind by booking an appointment with Wrench's mobile mechanics today and we will make sure we get to the bottom of the issues at hand.