Cars make noise when something needs attention. The problem is that we get used to sounds gradually — a new rattle becomes background noise, a new squeal gets normalized. Spring is a good time to listen fresh and pay attention to anything your vehicle has been telling you that you’ve been tuning out.

Here’s a quick guide to common under-car noises and what they typically mean:

Rumbling or roaring that increases with speed. This is one of the most common exhaust system symptoms — a failing muffler, a hole in the exhaust pipe, or a loose heat shield. It tends to get louder over time and is unmistakable once it progresses.

Grinding when you apply the brakes. Brake pads have a wear indicator that squeals when pads get thin. If you’re past squealing and into grinding, metal is contacting metal — your rotors are being damaged with every stop. This needs attention right away.

Clunking over bumps. This often points to suspension components — worn sway bar links, loose strut mounts, or ball joints that have developed play. Suspension problems get worse with Maury County’s spring road conditions.

Rattling that seems to come from underneath at idle or low speed. Loose exhaust components, heat shields, or even a loose catalytic converter can rattle at specific RPMs. Often sounds worse than it is, but still worth diagnosing.

Hissing that appears at startup or under acceleration. A strong candidate for an exhaust manifold leak — exhaust gases escaping before the muffler.

At Exhaust Plus Auto Center in Columbia, we’re especially experienced with exhaust diagnosis and repair. If your car is making a noise you don’t recognize, bring it in and we’ll figure out what it is.