Two types of car noises that mean your vehicle is in need of repair
Vehicles tend to make a lot of noise whilst they are in operation; most of these are perfectly normal. However, there are certain noises which can mean that your car is in need of repair. Here are two types of sounds which mean you should see a mechanic as soon as possible.
A whining sound
A whining sound which occurs when the vehicle accelerates during a turn usually means that there is a problem with the differential. This is a component which enables a vehicle to safely turn a corner by allowing the outer wheels to travel at a higher speed than the inner ones. The differential is composed of various types of gears attached to a circular, rotating piece of metal.
When the oil that lubricates these gears runs low or becomes contaminated, these metal parts can start to rub against one another; this is what causes the whining noise. Should you choose to ignore this sound, and the gears, therefore, go unlubricated for a long period of time, they could deteriorate to the point where the differential can no longer function. If this happens, you could end up losing traction whilst turning a corner which could then result in you getting into a road accident.
As such, it's important to bring your vehicle to a mechanic who specialises in diff repair as soon as you notice this noise. In addition to topping up the oil, they may need to replace some of the damaged gears in order to restore the component's functionality.
A rattling noise
A rattling noise that appears after you drive over bumps or potholes in the road could mean that your vehicle's suspension system has developed a fault. In this scenario, the rattling is often caused by the shock absorbers failing to perform their function.
Shock absorbers do more than just make your driving experience more comfortable; they also prevent the tyres of your vehicle from bouncing up and down throughout your road journeys. By allowing the tyres to remain in contact with the ground at all times, they help to reduce the likelihood of the vehicle losing its grip on the road and spinning out of control. If they become defective and you continue to drive your car, you could end up endangering yourself, your passengers and other road users.
As such, if your car starts emitting a rattling noise, it should be checked out by a mechanic promptly.