Noises – and the art of getting them fixed

There are many different sounds that are naturally produced and normal for the average vehicle. After all, several thousand moving parts all rubbing against each other are bound to produce sound – but there is a difference between a sound and a noise. It also stands to reason that the normal sound of a four-wheel drive diesel truck is dramatically different from the normal sound of a Cadillac STS. The more moving parts (such as 4wd) the greater propensity for sound. The more insulation (such as in the STS) the lower the volume will be.
When you’re first introduced to a vehicle, everything is a noise. After a few hundred miles you begin to accept the normal sounds inherent to the vehicle and can pick out a true noise. But addressing the noise(s) with your dealer is where the real challenge lies.
The best way to get a noise fixed is to provide the best possible description of it. Not only “It sounds like zip-pop-buzz…” but more like “when I first start the car in the morning, and back out of my driveway with my foot lightly on the brake, I hear…”. Anything can make a zip-pop-buzz noise, but if you hear it first thing in the morning, on the first brake application, it’s very likely caused by the Anti-Lock Brake system performing a self-diagnostic test. By the way, this is a normal sound.
The point is that describing the noise itself is not always as valuable as describing the conditions under which it occurs. Is the engine cold or at normal operating temperature? Are you accelerating, cruising or slowing down? How fast are you going? Is the air conditioning on or off? Is your foot on the brake? Are the windows open or closed? Then consider external factors. Is it hot or cold outside? Are the roads wet, smooth, rough, paved, gravel, etc? Last consider operating conditions. Is the sound louder with the window open? When did it start occurring? Did you recently have any work performed? Does it always seem to occur on the same road or same stretch of road? Is it most prevalent at any given speed?
There’s also a difference between a squeak a squeal and a whistle; a knock a rattle and a clunk. Describe the sound as well as the conditions under which you hear it as best possible – don’t be vague thinking that they will just listen for everything and anything – that strategy usually doesn’t work.