Today I went on a road test with a great customer because he was hearing an "intermittent weird noise while turning left" in the front of his SUV. Since he stated the noise does not occur all the time, I thought it would be best to go on a quick road test with him before we inspect further. Right away I thought I heard it, there was a clanging noise coming from the rear end. "Nope, that's not it. My wife left a frying pan with a lid on it in the back seat," he said. Hmm, so we drive a little more until I thought I heard it again near the dash area. "Nope, that's not it. That's about 27 dollars worth of change in the glove box rattling around." Hmmm...after a few more twists and turns we were able to confirm the noise together. Upon further inspection we were able to pinpoint a bad wheel bearing on the left front. That was easy.
Often times a description of a noise or vibration or chug is different from one person to another. Our suggestion is to get a road test in with a technician while the problem is occurring if possible. We understand that sometimes this is not possible. You are busy getting the kids to ball practice or need to get to work right away. Or sometimes that noise or hesitation just does not occur every time you drive the darn thing. We get it! So here is a list of common terms that help explain some common auto symptoms that can also help pinpoint your problem as easily as possible. After all, we don't want to waste your time and money listening to your favorite bowling ball rolling around in the trunk....Kingpin!
- Bucking: This is felt when the engine hesitates or the transmission slips as it changes gears and the vehicle lurches.
- Clunking: A noise usually heard in the suspension, especially while driving over a bumpy road.
- Hesitation: A brief loss of power upon acceleration.
- Shimmy: A side-to-side motion that can be felt through the tires and/or steering wheel.
- Surge: A sudden, usually upward, change in the engine’s speed.
- Sluggish: How a car feels when it’s not accelerating smoothly or strongly enough.
- Dieseling: What occurs when an engine continues to burn fuel and runs briefly after the car has been switched off.
Hope this helps! If you have a subject you would like us to blog about, send us ideas! We love to hear from our customers. Enjoy your day!