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Reasons Your Car is Squealing

Why Is Your Car Squealing?

  • Loose or worn belts are a common cause of vehicle squealing.
  • An old or failing alternator can make squealing sounds.
  • If your car squeaks or squeals while turning the steering wheel, it’s probably the steering system.
  • Brakes squealing is their friendly way of telling you it’s time to get them serviced.

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1. Car Squealing When You Start?

2. Loose or worn belts

3. An old or failing alternator

4. while turning the steering wheel

5. Squealing is Coming from the Brakes

6. AAMCO Can Help!

7. More From Our Blog

Car squealing when you start, slow down or idle?

Here are some things that could be causing all that noise.

The squealing might occur at different times, such as accelerating, decelerating and braking, or just idling. Whenever that annoying sound occurs, it’s something to pay attention to and have checked out by a mechanic. There are a few possible causes for such noises to be coming from your car, and all of them might mean repairs.

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Loose or worn belts are a common cause of vehicle squealing.

If your car squeals during acceleration or deceleration, it’s probably a belt.

Just like humans, the age of your car plays a large role in the noises it makes. Typically, belts that have not broken might be well worn and in need of replacement – and this becomes apparent during acceleration. Certain belts – like the timing belt – are under extra pressure during acceleration.

The serpentine belt is one in particular that does a lot of work. In many newer cars it replaces the numerous v-belts that are usually in place for all the different systems in your car, including the power steering pump, cooling fan, air conditioning compressor, and more. At acceleration, all of these systems rely on that one belt a little more heavily, which could cause the belt to squeal if it’s old and worn. A common occurrence is squealing at acceleration or deceleration whiling running the air conditioner. The extra stress of these two actions causes changes in the systems’ needs, which affects the serpentine belt. If your vehicle’s serpentine belt breaks, all the systems it powers will stop running and severe damage could be caused to the engine.

Related: Signs Your Timing Belt Might Need to Be Changed

If your car is older, it might have multiple v-belts which could be squealing. One of the most common sources of squealing is if you’re running your air conditioner. It could be that the A/C compressor belt is worn out and making noise – which means it’s time for a visit to the mechanic to get it changed.

It’s also probably belts if your car squeals as it idles or warms up after starting. Maybe you’re the kind of driver who just starts your car and goes, with no time to “warm up” the engine. The need to let your car idle after starting it, allowing it to warm up and achieve some sort of optimal operating temperature has been labelled a myth. In any case, if your car is idling and “warming up” just after starting, and the squealing kicks in, consider the weather. This is actually a problem that occurs frequently in colder regions. The car squeals when you turn it on because the belt is cold and stiff; but the squealing dissipates after the car runs for a while. Whether idling or accelerating just after startup, if the serpentine belt or individual v-belts (depending on your car) are worn or loose, they’ll probably squeal and should be replaced. You’ll want to look at the timing belt as well, if it hasn’t been looked at or changed recently.

Keep Your Car Running with proper levels of Transmission Fluid

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An old or failing alternator can make squealing sounds.

The alternator pulley could be the culprit.

The noise is undeniably annoying, and for good reason. A loose or slipping alternator pulley could mean bigger problems in the future if you don’t get it fixed. Additionally, the alternator has bearings that allow the rotor to spin and keep circulating electricity. If these bearings get old, dirty, worn out they are prone to make a loud squeaky grinding noise. When the bearings fail entirely, the rotor can’t spin and you’ll find yourself stuck without power and a dead battery.

Related: Signs Your Alternator is Going Bad

If your car squeaks or squeals while turning the steering wheel, it’s probably the steering system.

If your car squeaks or squeals every time you turn a corner and let everyone know you’re coming, then it’s probably a good guess that it’s something to do with the steering.

The culprit could be one of several possibilities. It might be something as simple as low power steering fluid. Check the fluid level, top it off if necessary. If the noise persists, take your car to a mechanic to have the power steering fluid drained and replaced, because it might be contaminated – which could mean other issues.

If a suspension or steering component doesn’t get adequate lubrication, it could cause a squeak or squeal when the steering wheel is turned. Tie-rod ends, seals, ball joints and universal joints need lubrication. If they dry out or get girt and dirt in them, it could cause noise. A mechanic should be able to identify the problem and recommend a repair.

Sometimes steering squeaks and squeals are as simple as tire noise on certain surfaces (like turning a corner on smooth concrete).

It should be pretty easy to tell if the squealing is coming from the brakes.

Brakes squealing is their friendly way of telling you it’s time to get them serviced.

Believe it or not, brakes are designed to squeal when they start to wear out. That annoying squealing sound means you’ve still got time to get them replaced and not spend a fortune. Simply pushing the brake pedal will initiate the noise, and that’s pretty much a good clue. Sometimes speed makes a difference, but brakes that need service will usually squeak or squeal at any speed. Eventually they’ll screech and shake and grind themselves into oblivion. Brakes squealing is really when you should just have the brakes checked. If you wait until there is grinding or shuddering and shaking whenever you use the brakes, the squealing has probably by now gone away and been replaced by these other hideous indications that you’re in for a full brake job – maybe right down to the rotors.

AAMCO Colorado Can Diagnose Those Noises

Visit an AAMCO Colorado transmission repair and total car care center near you. When issues arise and you need brakes, suspension or shocks, or engine repairs – including belts, hoses, radiators, and air conditioning repairs schedule an appointment for a system diagnostic test before it’s too late.

AAMCO Colorado is Here to Help

If you have questions about your car’s road readiness, or about car repair and maintenance topics, AAMCO Colorado can help. You can also go online and use the AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic feature to submit your auto repair questions. They will be answered by a real AAMCO Colorado mechanic as soon as possible.

If you are having transmission troubles find your local AAMCO Colorado and call or book online today to visit us today.

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View Comments (21)

  • There's a sqeek/chirping sound that only occurrs while driving at 35-45 mph! No noise at idle but often when accelerating! ?

  • There’s a sqeek/chirping sound that only occurrs while driving at 35-45 mph! No noise at idle but often when accelerating! ?

  • My truck makes a high pitch sound after i turn it off and continues until i unhook the negative battery cables

    • Good Morning Scott,
      Since high pitched noises and squealing can be caused by any number of problems we suggest visiting your local AAMCO Colorado service center and one of our expert technicians will perform a thorough diagnostic scan to diagnose your problem and get your car back on the road fast.

      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • My car makes a squeaking noise when I turn it on and it keeps squeaking then the car turns off. And when I’m driving it also does the same thing.

  • My car is doing some major squeaky/squealing when I make any turns. Fairly loud too. However, I did notice that when it rained the other day, I didn’t notice it at all. Wondering if maybe it just needs lubricant in some places. Haven’t checked steering fluid yet and it’s not driving any different. You can hear me anytime I turn the wheel tho! Any suggestions?

    • Melanie,
      Thanks so much for your question. While this certainly could be a matter of just needing lubrication, squeaking can indicate serious problems with your braking system and it is best to bring your car in for a quick diagnostic scan. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.

      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • My car is making a loud squealing noise and won't go over 20 miles an hour I just replaced the tensioner and the AC compressor belt is fairly new noise is coming from top of engine

    • Leroy,

      We understand how frustrating it can be when your car isn’t working right. Squealing can indicate a problem with your brakes among other things. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.

      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • My car keeps starting to make a squealing sound once I reach high speeds and continues even when I slow down and stop until I turn off the car and to stops. Once it starts, it doesnt get louder or change with turns or acceleration/deceleration. It sounds like it's coming from the front passenger side. Please help lol its driving me insane.
    2017 Chevy Sonic Turbo if that helps

    • Samantha,
      A squealing noise could indicate several issues. Squealing most commonly is a warming sound that you've got an issue with your breaks, however, if the squealing is constant this could indicate a problem with your transmission or another system in your car. We understand how frustrating it can be when your car isn’t working right. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.

      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • My husbands 2011 Hyundai sonata starts squeaking soon as we take off. It's annoying sound. We've been told it might be the struts,bushings or shocks. Which one of all three could it be?

    • Rosie,
      It could be any three of those things you have listed, or another unidentified problem. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.

      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • My husbands car squeals when it is idling and gets quieter while driving and sometimes jerks when he turns. Why is this?

    • Nichole,
      Squealing can indicate a number of issues, one of the most common is an issue with your brakes. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

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