When you're driving around in your Volkswagen and you hear ominous sounds coming from under the hood, you get nervous. What could those noises mean? For drivers in the Turnersville, Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel area, our experts at Prestige Volkswagen are going to go over the various sounds that your Volkswagen makes that tell you it's time to schedule a maintenance appointment.
Grinding Sounds
If you're driving around, and more specifically, applying pressure to your brakes, and you hear a grinding sound, it means that there could be a problem with your brakes. This sound is caused by your brake pads, or lack thereof, causing friction with the rotors. Excessive friction from your thinning brake pads, or your calipers/pistons, is not good for your braking system. Your brakes are important, and if they aren't functioning properly, then you should avoid driving until you've had it checked out by a certified technician.
Squealing/Screeching
This sound can also be caused by your braking system. This noise is a sign that you need new brake pads to reduce the friction. Although this sound can be alarming, the problems that are occurring are less severe than the previously mentioned "grinding" sounds.
Rattling/Stumbling
This sound will most likely be from your exhaust system. This could be anything from a loose pipe to the catalytic converter. The loose pipe may need tightening or replacing depending on the severity of the problem /wear and tear. If the problem lies with your catalytic converter, you'll hear a rattling sound when you're stopped at a light. If it is indeed the catalytic converter, a hefty price tag will be attached to any repair or replacement, so be prepared.
Chirping
If you hear a high-pitched chirping or squealing noise, there's a distinct possibility that it's one of your belts that's causing this noise. Over time, these belts can wear away a little bit, which could cause them to slip. This is what causing that high-pitched noise. If you hear this sound, then you should take your Volkswagen in to a service department sooner than later because delaying a belt repair/replacement can lead to costlier problems.
Humming
When you hear a loud humming sound coming from underneath your Volkswagen, then it could very well be your tires or wheel bearings. If it's your tires, it could mean that they are nearing the end of their lifespan. If the sound happens to change pitch when you're driving, then it's your wheel bearings. This will be more noticeable during lane changes. If either problem surfaces, you should pull over to safety and make arrangements with your authorized Volkswagen dealer before the problem leaves you stranded.
Schedule Maintenance at Prestige Volkswagen
For drivers in the Turnersville, Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel, if you notice any of these noises coming from your Volkswagen, then you can schedule maintenance service with us at Prestige Volkswagen. Our team of certified technicians can identify the problem and find the solution so that you can drive without hearing any of these sounds for a while.