Car Sounds You Should Never Ignore

As we transition from cold weather to hot weather, now is a great time to get your car tuned up for the grueling temperatures of summer which can cause serious issues.

Some of us are pretty good at taking care of regular maintenance on our vehicles, while others, seem to drive theirs until something goes wrong before getting it looked at by a mechanic.

Regular maintenance on your vehicle will not only extend the life of your vehicle but it will also save you money in the long run.

As you roll the windows down and enjoy the moderate temperatures of June, be sure to 'listen' to your car for some clues that trouble might be looming on the horizon.

Yahoo! Autos published  a list from Popular Mechanics of the sounds that if you hear from your automobile, should never be ignored.

1.  Diesel-like clattering in a gasoline engine.  It could be bad gasoline, or your ignition timing might be off.  Either one could cause serious engine damage if it isn't fixed.

2.  Drumming underneath the car that increases with speed.  It could be a failing U-joint.  The worst that can happen is that the U-joint breaks, the drive shaft hits the pavement and your car flips end over end until something stops it.

3.  A sound like fingernails scraping on a chalkboard.  It's probably a loose accessory drive belt.  It's not life or death, but everyone around you will hate you until you fix it.

4.  Sharp tapping that increases with engine RPM.  It could be a connecting rod knock.  In the worst case, the rod punches through the engine block . . . metal parts and flaming oil shoot out . . . and you're shopping for a whole new engine.

5.  Grinding metal, like a snowplow on a bare road.  Your brake pads could be completely worn away, which could cause the car to pull to one side when you brake.

6. Whining when you turn the steering wheel.  It could be a failing power-steering pump.  If it failed completely, you'd lose your power steering . . . and you wouldn't know it until you tried to turn the wheel.

Source: Yahoo!  Autos