Tell Us What You're Hearing

At Helwig Auto, our professional technicians want to make sure your vehicle is fixed right the first time. Just like when you visit your doctor, communication is an important part of the diagnosis process. The more you can tell us about your vehicle's recent "behavior", the better.

Boom	A sound like a drum roll or distant thunder
Buzz	A low-pitched sound, like a bee
Chatter	Rapidly repeating metallic sound
Chirp	High-pitched, rapidly repeating sound, like a chirping bird
Click	A light sound, like a ballpoint pen being clicked
Clunk	A metal-to-metal sound, like a hammer striking steel
Grind	An abrasive sound, like a grinding stone
Hiss	Like air escaping from a balloon
Hum	Like a wire humming in the wind
Knock	Like a knock on the door
Rattle	A sound like marbles rolling around in a can
Roar	Deep, prolonged sound like high winds or ocean waves
Rumble	Low, heavy, continuous sound, like thunder
Squeak	A sound like rubbing a clean window
Tap	A crisp, dull sound, like tapping your finger on a table
Whine	A high-pitched sound, like an electric motor or drill
Whistle	Sharp, shrill sound like wind passing through a small opening
Other

Now Tell Us When You Hear It

• How fast were you traveling when the noise occurred?
   
• What was the weather like? (e.g., heavy rain, etc.)
   

Does Your Car or Truck Make the Noise When Any of the Following Occur?

• Turning in either direction while moving? (Yes or No)
  • If Yes, turning the steering wheel to the (Left, Right, or Both)?

• You're braking? (Yes or No)

• You're accelerating? (Yes or No)

• If Yes, what type of acceleration (Normal, Hard, or Both)?

• The A/C or heat was (On or Off)?

• The car or truck is parked/idling (Yes or No)?

• The vehicle is parked and you are turning the steering wheel to the (Left, Right, or Both)?

Other Symptoms - Vehicle ...

• Misses or runs rough
   
• Hesitates or backfires
   
• Engine stalls or dies
   
• Is sluggish/low on power, but not rough
   
• Is hard to start, but cranks okay
   
• Engine cranks, but won't start
   
• Stalls after starting
   
• Fluid leaks (green, reddish, black, brownish, or clear)
   
• Exhaust smokes excessively (blue/grey, black, or white)
   
• Rapidly consumes (gas, oil, or both)
   
• Shakes or vibrates ... felt through (steering wheel, seat, brake pedal)
   

Other Vehicle Symptoms - It Does It When ...

• Engine is (cold, lukewarm, or fully warmed up)
   
• I've driven about ______ miles
   
• Engine is being started
   
• Just after engine has started
   
• I'm driving at about _____ mph
   
• Accelerating (hard or normal)
   
• Decelerating to a stop (hard or normal)
   
• Going up a hill
   
• Turning (left, right, or both ways)
   
• Other:
   

Back to Our Services >