Why is the car making loud noises while driving?

[DiTyler]

Here are the reasons why a car may produce loud noises while driving: 1. Wind noise: Every car will have wind noise, which is unavoidable as long as the car is moving. To address wind noise, isolation methods are generally used. If the wind noise inside the car feels significantly louder than before, the solution is to add sealing strips to the door frames and include some soundproofing cotton inside the doors, which can effectively reduce the noise entering the car. 2. Tire noise: Tire noise is generated by the friction between the tires and the road surface during high-speed driving. The level of tire noise depends on road and vehicle conditions—poorer road conditions result in louder tire noise. Additionally, there is a significant difference between the tire noise produced on asphalt roads and concrete roads. Since it cannot be avoided, the most effective solution is to adjust the tire pressure to a moderate level, as higher tire pressure leads to increased noise. Tire noise is a structural noise primarily caused by vibrations. Adding damping plates along with sound-absorbing pads can effectively address road and tire noise. If the tire noise is too loud, check if the tires are worn out or consider switching to a set of quiet tires, which can significantly reduce tire noise. 3. Chassis noise: The chassis serves as the foundation of the entire car, and the noise it produces mainly comes from the suspension, various stabilizer bars, and shock absorbers. If the issue lies with the suspension, adding soundproofing cotton and vibration-damping plates to the bottom of the trunk can yield good results. However, in most cases, chassis noise is caused by problems with the shock absorbers. The entire car will produce loud noises when driving over uneven surfaces. At this point, it is essential to thoroughly inspect the car's shock absorbers, as severe oil leakage may be the issue. 4. Engine noise: Engine noise is very noticeable because the engine is closest to the cabin and is the most easily felt area. Engine noise can be divided into cold-start noise and hot-engine noise. Cold-start noise refers to abnormal sounds coming from the engine compartment when starting the car, which disappear after the engine warms up. This noise is mostly due to the car being parked for too long, causing the oil to drain back into the oil pan and resulting in insufficient lubrication and oil pressure, leading to a ticking sound. Additional information: 1. There are many reasons for hot-engine noise. Excluding inherent factors, abnormal noises usually indicate either a problem with a part or a component failure, such as excessively high oil viscosity, carbon buildup in the engine cylinders, or valve leakage. If the engine noise gradually becomes louder, it should be promptly inspected at a repair shop. 2. If inspections of the engine oil pump, cooling system, exhaust pipe for cracks, and adjustments to the valves and engine oil pressure reveal no issues, yet the noise persists, consider adding a layer of soundproofing cotton under the hood. This can block engine noise from entering the cabin while also providing insulation, achieving multiple benefits.

[McAdeline]

I've experienced the issue of loud car noises several times, usually related to tires and the engine. The most common cause is the tires. If the tread is severely worn or the tire pressure is too high or too low, the noise-canceling layer fails while rolling on the road, making the noise louder, especially at high speeds when it sounds like thunder. That's exactly what happened to my car last time—it became quiet immediately after replacing the tires. As for the engine, a loose or aging belt can cause squeaking, or insufficient oil can increase internal friction and noise. The chassis is also a suspect, such as damaged rear wheel bearings causing a humming sound when turning, or an exhaust pipe leak producing constant popping sounds. I usually check if the tire pressure is moderate and try to locate the general direction of the noise by listening. It's best to promptly visit a professional repair shop for a comprehensive inspection. Delaying can lead to significant safety hazards, such as a damaged bearing potentially causing a wheel to fall off.