If Your Car Makes These 5 Noises, It’s Asking for Help (Not Attention)

Nicole Miskelley
Jan 19
3 min read

Cars don’t talk—but if they did, most of them would be screaming way earlier than people bring them in.

At PMR Automotive, we hear this all the time:

“It just started making this noise… I thought it would go away.”

Spoiler alert: it never does.

If your car is making any of the noises below, it’s not being dramatic. It’s asking for help. Let’s break down what those sounds usually mean—and when it’s time to stop turning the radio up.

1. Squealing or Screeching (Especially When Braking)

This is the classic “I’ll deal with it later” noise.

What it usually means:

Worn brake pads
Glazed rotors
Brake hardware crying for mercy

Most brake pads are designed to squeal when they’re low—so congrats, your car is doing its job.

Why you shouldn’t ignore it: Waiting too long can turn a simple brake job into a much more expensive repair, including components like calipers and hoses.

PMR reality check: Catching brakes early = safer driving + lower cost.

2. Clunking or Thudding Over Bumps

If your car sounds like it’s carrying loose bowling balls underneath it, that’s not normal.

What it usually means:

Worn suspension components
Bad struts or shocks
Loose or failing steering parts

Given the potholes and rough roads around Southern Illinois, suspension issues are very common.

Why you shouldn’t ignore it: Suspension problems can affect a lot of components, such as:

Tire wear
Braking distance
Steering control

Translation: it gets unsafe faster than you think.

3. Grinding (From the Wheels or When Braking)

This one’s a big deal.

What it usually means:

Metal-on-metal brakes
Failing wheel bearings

Grinding noises mean parts are already worn past their comfort zone.

Why you shouldn’t ignore it: This is how small repairs become large, expensive ones—fast.

If your car is grinding, it’s basically saying: “Please stop driving me like this.”

4. Knocking or Pinging From the Engine

This noise tends to scare people—and honestly, that’s fair.

What it usually means:

Engine timing issues
Fuel-related problems
Internal engine wear

Sometimes it’s minor. Sometimes it’s not. The only way to know is proper diagnostics.

Why you shouldn’t ignore it: Engine knocks don’t fix themselves, and guessing can cost you way more than testing.

Good news: Modern diagnostics let us pinpoint issues without jumping straight to worst-case scenarios.

5. High-Pitched Squeal When You Start the Car

This one often shows up in colder months or first thing in the morning.

What it usually means:

Worn or loose belts
Tensioner issues
Belt pulley failure

It may quiet down after driving—but that doesn’t mean it’s fine.

Why you shouldn’t ignore it: If a belt fails completely, you could lose power steering, charging, or even suffer overheating—none of which make for a good day.