Motorists will be well attuned to the noises they hear while on the road, especially when it comes to their own vehicles.
While a random rattle, brake squeal or banging sound are often dismissed, drivers are being warned about key noises that they should never ignore.
Some may indicate that there is a minor ongoing problem with your car, while others could be a sign that something serious is wrong.
Drivers are advised to immediately seek a mechanic in some circumstances while other issues can be resolved more easily.
There are seven car noises, in particular, that should never be ignored, according to US insurance company Geico.
The corporation also lists two that are "serious problems" and could be a sign that your vehicle is no longer roadworthy.
Here are the seven car noises that might be warning signs of trouble:
1. Brakes squealing, grinding or growling
If you hear a squealing noise, your brake pads or shoes might be nearing the end of their service life and must be replaced, Geico advises.
If they grind or growl, get your brakes checked out immediately and it could be a sign that pads are so worn that metal is touching metal - "a serious problem that could affect braking efficiency".
2. A sound like a coin in a clothes dryer
'If you hear something rattling around inside a wheel at low speeds (and then stops as you drive faster) it could be a loose lug nut inside a hub cap," the company says.
"That might mean your wheel wasn’t tightened properly the last time it was removed and replaced. Take your car to a mechanic ASAP."
3. A howling, whining or even 'singing'
"This is usually a sign that your bearings—tiny metal balls that help parts rotate smoothly—aren’t doing their job," Geico says.
"But which ones? If you have front-wheel drive, and the sound changes as you turn left, right and back again, it’s likely your front-wheel bearings; a gradually growing, steady howl signals rear-wheel bearings.
"If you have rear-wheel drive and the whine gets louder as you accelerate, your differential, which allows your wheels to spin at different rates when needed, could be leaking fluid. Get it fixed immediately."
4. A finger-snapping, popping or clicking sound when you turn
"If you have a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive vehicle and hear this sound when you turn or corner (but the noise stops when you steer straight) one or both of the constant velocity (CV) joints on your front axle could need replacing," according to the insurer.
5. A rhythmic squeak that speeds up as you accelerate
This means: "If you have rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and hear this sound, the culprit could be the universal joint (U-joint), which are found in pairs and are components of the driveshaft. Get it checked by a mechanic immediately."
6. Rhythmic clunking, tapping or banging from under the hood
This means there could be a serious problem with valves, connecting rods or pistons, and motorists are advised to get to a mechanic ASAP.
7. Squealing under the hood at start-up or when accelerating
"This could come from worn or loose accessory belts that drive things like your power steering pump, air conditioner compressor and alternator," Geico advises.
"With newer cars, it may point to the serpentine belt, which drives multiple accessories at once, and is relatively easy and cheap to fix."
