How to fix the squeaking noise while driving
You’ve got a sweet ride, and you take pride in keeping it that way. When you’re driving your car, there are some sounds that make you cringe—squeaks and rattles that seem to appear out of nowhere even without applying brakes? After all, you take great pains to keep your car clean and well-maintained. Why do those noises still exist or what causes them? And more importantly: How can you get rid of them?
Driving with a jerky motion or sudden lurches without applying brakes can put strain on your engine and other moving parts, causing unnecessary wear and tear over time. Even more reason to drive smoothly! Here are tips for reducing squeaks and rattles when driving even when you are not applying your brakes, so you can enjoy peace and quiet once again.
Did you change your oil while rotating your tires?
If you’re hearing scraping noises from your wheels, it could be a sign of worn-out tires. Driving on under-inflated tires can also cause noise. If you notice a squealing or scraping noise while driving, check the tires’ pressure and tread. You may also want to consider switching to a different type of tire.
As for oil, greasy build up between moving parts can cause a lot of noise. If you notice a lot of squeaking as you drive, it may be time to visit your mechanic for a thorough oil change to get rid of excess grease build up! If you hear a grinding or squealing noise from your wheels, it could be a sign of bent rims or damage to the brake pads. Brake pads are designed to grind against the wheels as they wear down, so it’s normal to hear some grinding from time to time. If the noise persists, however, you may need to replace your brake pads.
Ensure that you check your front-end alignment
If you hear a knocking sound, it could be a sign that your front end is misaligned. Misaligned wheels can cause other parts of your car to wear out more quickly and can even lead to tire damage. If you notice a knocking sound while driving, you can take your car to a mechanic to have it checked. Most mechanics will offer an alignment inspection as part of your regular routine maintenance. If you notice a thumping noise when driving over bumps or potholes, it could be a sign that your car’s wheels are out of alignment.
Misaligned wheels can cause other parts of your car to wear out more quickly, and can even lead to tire damage. If you notice a thumping noise while driving, take your car to a mechanic to have it checked.
Check out your shocks and struts
Shocks and struts are the parts of your suspension that absorb bumps in the road and keep your car’s tires in contact with the ground. If you hear a constant clicking or crinkling noise coming from your car’s suspension, it could be a sign that the shocks and struts are worn out. Worn-out shocks and struts can also cause your car to bounce a lot when you hit bumps!
Depending on the age of your car and how many miles you’ve driven it, you may want to consider replacing your shocks and struts. Newer cars come with gas-charged shocks and struts, which are basically bags of pressurized gas. If you have these, they’re designed to last the life of your car. Older cars may have air shocks, which are basically bags of air that work similarly.
Install new shocks and coiled spring coats
If your car’s suspension is wearing down, you can replace the worn-out parts with new shocks and spring coils. New shocks and coil springs can help reduce squeaks and crinkling sounds from your car’s suspension.
Depending on the age of your car and how many miles you’ve driven it, you may want to consider replacing your shocks and coil springs. Newer cars come with gas-charged shocks and struts, which are basically bags of pressurized gas. If you have these, they’re designed to last the life of your car. Older cars may have air shocks, which are basically bags of air that work similarly.
Install new wheels and tires
If you notice a squeaking or rattling noise while driving, it may be a sign that your wheels or tires are worn-out. Driving on worn-out tires can also cause other parts of your car to wear out more quickly. If you notice a squeaking or rattling noise while driving, you may want to consider replacing your wheels and tires.
If you’re driving on worn-out tires, you may want to consider replacing them with new wheels and tires. Worn-out tires can cause other parts of your car to wear out more quickly and can even lead to accidents.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this article has helped you find a solution for a squeaking noise while driving but not brakes applied. If you’re still unsure, make sure to take your vehicle to a car professional.
