Car Symptoms: What That Noise, Light, or Smell Means

Diagnose what your car is telling you — likely causes ranked by probability, whether it's safe to drive, DIY checks, and honest repair cost ranges.

Brakes

Grinding Noise When Braking Stop driving Squealing Noise When Braking Check soon Vibration When Braking Check soon Brake Pedal Feels Soft or Spongy Stop driving

Steering & Suspension

Car Pulls to One Side Check soon Clunking Noise Over Bumps Check soon Steering Wheel Shakes at High Speed Check soon

Engine

Squealing Noise Under the Hood Check soon Engine Knocking Noise Stop driving Engine Ticking Noise Check soon Rough Idle Check soon Engine Misfire Symptoms Check soon Engine Overheating Stop driving Coolant Leak Check soon

Drivetrain

Whining Noise When Accelerating Check soon Transmission Slipping Check soon

Warning Lights

Tire Pressure Light (TPMS) On Check soon Check Engine Light On (Solid) Check soon Check Engine Light Flashing Stop driving Oil Pressure Light On Stop driving

General

Burning Smell From Car Check soon

Starting & Charging

Car Won't Start — Clicking Noise OK to plan around Car Won't Start — No Click, No Crank OK to plan around Dead Battery or Bad Alternator? Check soon

Electrical

Key Fob Not Working OK to plan around

Exhaust & Smoke

White Smoke From Exhaust Check soon Blue Smoke From Exhaust Check soon Black Smoke From Exhaust Check soon

Comfort

Car A/C Not Blowing Cold OK to plan around