AH, SPRING! BAH! NEW NOISES
Identifying those clanks and pings
Windows-down spring driving over our infamous frost-heaved byways always assaults our ears with noise, above the environmental din. Often the noises that pester us the most are those unusual and often expensive-to-fix squeaks and clangs from our own vehicles.
Auto bangs, clunks, rattles, drones, grinds, hums, and sputters are some of the most common noises that can raise dollar signs in our worry zone. Automakers devote serious resources to reducing NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness). Unfortunately, when it comes time to repair the causes of our car’s cacophonies, many repair shop visits don’t get it right the first time, leading to frustration, lost time, and often lost dollars. Here’s a top tips list to keep your vehicle noises at bay without breaking the bank.
Learn the terms: The biggest reason repair shops don’t get NVH issues fixed the first time is lack of understanding between the customer and the tech. Telling your service consultant that your problem sounds like the last time the kids tried to microwave an iPod won’t paint a clear picture.
One of the best examples of an auto noise audio database can be found on the website/app www. mycarmakesnoise.com. Repair shops use such terms as clunk, rattle, grinding, squeaking, squealing, moaning, groaning, pinging and chirping for example.
Unless you’re going to have the opportunity to test drive your car with the tech who will be trying to find the source of a new noise (it’s the best way to get it fixed right the first time), take a few minutes to help narrow down the area of the vehicle involved.
Does the noise come from the front or rear, left or right? Is it only going over bumps or when the vehicle is moving or stationary? At what speed does it occur? Does it change with speed or cornering (and in which direction)? Does weather play a part?
An easy way to pinpoint faint noises is to slowly drive by a large building’s wall or barrier with the windows down and listen as the sound is bounced off the solid surface. Taking the time to jot down a few notes can save you money and time.
Of course seeing that most of us carry a digital recorder with us at all times (our smartphones), don’t be shy about recording that annoying noise to play back to your service adviser.
Do some detecting: Loose trim and body items are responsible for a lot of auto noises. If the rattle just started after putting on the summer tires, check for loose wheel covers. Check wheel-well plastic liners and underbody panels, especially those connected to the lower edge of the front bumper cover. Check the exhaust system: are any hangers or clamps loose or broken? If the noise occurs over bumps, can you duplicate it by jouncing up and down on any corner of the vehicle while it’s parked?
Don’t forget to look up: Roof racks can cause a lot of wind noises and if you’re not carrying any cargo, the rack’s cross bars should be moved as far back as possible or taken off altogether if they are
removable.
Clear the decks: Before taking your vehicle in for a noise appointment, take the time to remove all the normal noise-causers that your cargo and waste are responsible for. It would surprise many to know the number of drivers that bring in vehicles with empty bottles and cans rattling in the trunk, or hard plastic CD cases under the seat or in the glove box and expect a tech to know that those noises are not what they’re complaining about.
If you’re too busy, your shop will gladly temporarily remove these items before road-testing your car, but at $120 an hour, is that a wise use of your money?
Take a ride: If you’re returning to your (un)favourite shop for a second repair visit to quiet things down, make sure you take a road test with either the shop manager or the tech who will be working on your car. It’s often impossible to see the cause of a noise, but getting you and the tech and your car on the same page will go a long way to getting things resolved.