If your car makes noises when accelerating, stay calm and take a look at your engine, you may need to take it to a mechanic.
Unexpected car sounds run the gamut from funny noises when turning to unexpected shaking
and noises during acceleration. Becoming agitated when you first notice your car makes noise when accelerating will not diagnose or solve the problem any sooner than if you remain calm and collected. Choosing to be nonreactive in such a situation allows you to better observe the symptoms, so you can fully describe the car problem to your mechanic or troubleshoot on your own.
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How to react to chirping or squealing when accelerating
Usually, chirping or squealing noises when accelerating indicate a slipped or loose belt. Less frequently, it could point to a misalignment in the drive pulley of the water pump or another accessory.
Step 1: Start your car’s engine. Set the vehicle in Park if it has an automatic transmission, or shift into Neutral and engage the emergency brake if it has a manual transmission.
Step 2: Ask a friend to press and release the accelerator. That way, you can audibly and visually observe what happens from outside the vehicle.
Step 3: Open the hood. Then, listen and watch for where the chirping or squealing noise comes from. When you have finished, make notes of what you heard and saw. Close the hood, stop the engine, and contact a mechanic.
Step 4: Describe your observations. Use concise and precise language when speaking to a service technician, which will help narrow the potential causes of the chirping or squealing noise when accelerating.
How to react to roaring when accelerating
If your car engine makes a loud roaring noise at greater speeds, it signals a greater issue than small squeals or chirps. You can help diagnose the cause by pinpointing the source of the roar with a few simple steps.
Step 1: Rev the engine. Do this with the car at a stop or parked by pressing the accelerator pedal.
Step 2: Listen attentively. Specifically, listen for the roaring noise, and note if it happens when the car is not moving.
Step 3: Contact a mechanic. Mention if the loud roaring occurs only when moving or both when moving and parked. If your car roars with just revving the engine, the problem likely lies in the exhaust system.
If the roaring only happens when actually driving, the transmission in an automatic vehicle or clutch in a standard may be the culprit and in need of repair.
Whenever your car begins to make a noise it did not make previously, it is wise to calmly gather as much information about the systems as you can and seek help from a service technician. Prompt attention to the issue may prevent greater problems from arising, and your keen observations can save labor costs in diagnostics.
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