When you're out for a ride in your car, it's possible to hear a strange noise coming from your vehicle. Although it's understandable that you might ignore these noises assuming that they're a minor problem, some noises that come from your car need immediate attention. You should become more familiar with car noises that indicate a serious problem if you want to keep your vehicle running well into the future. Here are a few car noises you shouldn't ignore and advice for how to deal with serious problems occurring under the hood.

Squealing

The part of your vehicle that is responsible for maintaining your safety on the road is your braking system. Ideally, your brakes will work effectively and soundlessly. However, if there's a problem with your brakes, you might notice a high-pitched squealing noise. Hearing a squealing noise coming from your braking system should be a major cause of concern. Usually, this noise means that your brake pads have worn down. It is sometimes possible to hear this sound even when you're not using your brakes. Once you start hearing a squealing noise, get your brakes checked as soon as possible to prevent major damage to your rotors.

Ticking

Because it's common for your engine to make a certain amount of noise, it can be difficult to know which sounds are normal and which mean that a problem is brewing. However, there is one engine noise that you should listen for very closely: ticking. Ticking coming from your engine almost always means that there is a problem with your oil system. It can either mean you're low on oil or that your vehicle isn't maintaining the right level of oil pressure. The first time you hear ticking, stop your car as soon as possible and check your oil level. If your oil level is normal, take your car to a service professional so that they can examine your oil pressure.

Hissing

Out of all the sounds that you could hear when driving your vehicle, one of the most troubling is hissing. Almost everyone knows that hissing noises coming from your car are a warning sign of large problems, but few people know what these problems may be. Typically, when you hear a hissing noise coming from your car, it means that your engine has overheated and is possibly leaking coolant. When hissing occurs, stop your vehicle and check under the hood. If you notice steam, you should stop driving your vehicle and call a tow truck. An overheating engine deserves immediate attention from a car repair professional.

Noises While Turning

The problem with some car noises is that you will only hear them under certain circumstances, making it hard to diagnose or gauge the seriousness of the issue. For example, if you only hear noises when turning your vehicle, then you might not assume that it's serious enough to warrant a service appointment. While you might not realize it, any noise that you hear by turning can mean a problem with your steering column. Get these noises checked immediately so that you can maintain control of your vehicle. Listen closely for these car noises so that you can catch small problems before they become big problems and are better able to protect your vehicle.