Car Maintenance Tips Part II: Detect Car Problems by Sound & Touch

Car problems are an inconvenience to the owner. And, when a car problem happens while on the road, it may put the lives of the occupants of a car at risk. One good way to prevent a car problem from happening is by doing routine maintenance. It is also good to check for signs of problems to be able to fix faulty car parts and components before they become extremely damage.

According to the Federal Trade Commission on its website consumer.ftc.gov, signs of car problems can be detected by using the senses, such as the sense of sight, smell, hearing and touch. Issues in car parts and components that can be noticed by  the sense of sight and smell are discussed on the first part of the two-part series about car maintenance tips. This article is the second part of the series based on car maintenance tips using the sense of hearing and touch, as advised by the Federal Trade Commission.

Sense of Hearing

The sound coming from a car part or component provides a clue about car issues. Hearing a squeal from the engine may indicate that an engine air conditioning belt, fan or power steering is already loose or becoming worn out. A clicking sound from the car may point to problems like low engine oil, a stuck valve filter, a bent or loose fan blade or a loose wheel cover. A screeching sound that is heard while a car is in motion.

A rumbling sound may be an indication of a faulty muffler, converter or exhaust pipe. It may also be an indication of a worn drive-line component like a universal joint. A heavy knocking sound may mean that a crankshaft or connecting road bearings are becoming worn out or that a transmission torque converter is already loose. Lastly, a (clunky) sound is an indication of a loose suspension component like a shock absorber. The sound may also be an indication of a loose muffler or exhaust pipe.

Sense of Touch

Experiencing problems in steering can point to a number of things. Difficulty in steering in a straight line or wandering, for example, is an indication of a misaligned front wheels and/or worn steering components like the ball joint or the idler. Pulling or the tendency of a car to steer to the left or right may mean that tires are (under inflated) or the front end of a car is misaligned or damaged

Another example is the different problems in ride and handling. Difficulty in cornering is an indication of a worn suspension component like a shock absorber or improper tire inflation. Furthermore, when one corner of a car is lower than the others, it may mean that it is time for spring replacement. And, when a car vibrates, it is an indication of unbalanced or improperly balanced tires may lead to damage of steering and suspension components.

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