Pinging suggests bad knock sensor
See if high-octane fuel eliminates it
DEAR CAR TALK: I have a 2015 Kia Sportage with 25,000 miles on it that I purchased new. At about 15,000 miles, I noticed a slight ping when slowly climbing hills. I tried changing gas, to no avail. Then I noticed that when I parked the car on a slight hill, facing either up or down, I got a loud noise for about a second or two when I started the car. It sounds like the bearings are starving for oil. I made a recording of this and took it to the dealer. They said it’s a normal sound for newer vehicles. Pinging and bearing noise is the new normal? What’s the next stage of normal — oil leaks and blue smoke? What do you think? — Dennis
That’s the old normal, Dennis. Cars shouldn’t ping at all these days. They all have knock sensors that automatically adjust the timing if you happen to get gasoline that has too low of an octane rating. So it’s possible you have a bad knock sensor. But that would trigger a check engine light, and you didn’t mention that.
It also may be something other than pinging that you’re hearing. Try putting a tank of the highest-octane fuel you can find in the car. If you still hear the noise at the same intensity, then it’s not pinging, it’s something else.
At that point, your dealer will need to hear it to figure it out. It could be a loose heat shield, or a loose or broken exhaust manifold bolt. Or almost anything.
As for the starting noises, car engines, especially smaller ones, do make more noise when they first start up these days, usually as the hydraulic lifters get pressurized. If it goes away in less than 15 seconds — which you say it does — I wouldn’t worry too much about it, as long as your oil level is correct.
But in any case, it’s good that you reported it to the dealer, and that it’s noted on your repair order. If it does get worse over time, and something really is wrong, you’ll have a record that you complained about it while the car was under warranty.
Also, ask to drive a used, 2015 Sportage at the dealer. See if it makes the same noises. The dealer is telling you that, essentially, “they all do that.” So drive another 2015 and see for yourself.