Knowledge base · Symptom & cause
Strange noise from your car — broken down by situation
"It's making a strange noise" is the most common question in any workshop — and also the hardest, because noises are difficult to describe. Yet you get a long way by establishing one thing: when exactly do you hear it?
The moment matters more than the noise
That is why a mechanic always asks: braking or accelerating, cornering or straight ahead, cold or warm, low or high speed, and does it change when you steer? That is not fussiness — it is the fastest route to the cause. Feel free to record a video while driving; we can often hear the direction from a recording.
Overview per situation
| When you hear it | How it sounds | Most likely direction |
|---|---|---|
| When braking | High-pitched squeal | Brake pad wear indicator, or pads near the end |
| When braking | Grinding, metal on metal | Pad completely worn; the disc is now being damaged. Do not drive on |
| When braking | Vibration in wheel or pedal | Distorted discs — see the article on vibration when braking |
| Over bumps | Rattling, knocking | Anti-roll bar links, control arm bushes or shock absorber mounts |
| In corners | Clicking in time with the wheels | CV joint (driveshaft) |
| In corners | Humming that changes with the corner | Wheel bearing |
| Under acceleration | Whistling that rises with revs | Turbo or a leaking boost hose |
| At idle | Ticking in time with revs | Valves, or low oil pressure — check the oil level |
| On cold start | Rattling, first few seconds | Timing chain tensioner — do not leave this |
| Constant while driving | Humming that rises with speed | Wheel bearing or tyres with uneven wear |
| Pressing the clutch | Squealing or rattling | Release bearing or dual-mass flywheel |
| Steering while stationary | Groaning | Power steering — fluid level or pump |
Four noises not to wait on
- Grinding when braking. Metal on metal means braking performance is already reduced and the disc is being damaged. This is immediate work.
- Rattling on a cold start. On a timing chain this is the warning before the expensive damage.
- Ticking in time with revs, together with low oil pressure. Engine off.
- Rattling that keeps getting worse. Play in the suspension is also an APK rejection point.
How we track it down
On the lift we check for play and movement, with the wheels free and under load. If needed we come along for a drive and listen in the place where you hear it. Complaints that only appear at a certain speed or temperature sometimes need a test drive — so describe as precisely as possible when it happens. Buying a car and hearing something? Have it included in the pre-purchase check.
Not sure what is causing it? Start with brand-specific diagnostics in Tilburg.