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Why is my car screeching?

People already laugh at the fact that I drive a Nissan Cube. I love my car, so I try to ignore it. But now my car is screeching like nobody’s business when I drive, drawing more stares and more laughs, leaving me feeling embarrassed. Why might my car be screeching?

avatar
Laura Salvas · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
There are several reasons your
Nissan Cube
could be making a screeching noise, from something simple like a worn belt to something complicated like worn engine bearings.
These are some possible reasons why your car is screeching:
  • Belt needs replacing: A worn-out belt can become stretched and screech or squeal when
    your car accelerates
    . This routine repair should be taken care of before the belt snaps.
  • Brake wear: If your brake system becomes worn, it can cause a screeching sound
    when you turn
    . Likewise,
    brake pads
    may screech when you brake to indicate the brakes need replacing soon.
  • Hole in intake system: This is rare but can cause a screeching noise when you drive. If your
    check engine light
    is on this could be an indication of a small hole.
  • Worn bearings: Many systems in your car, such as the
    power steering
    , air conditioning, and even engine, rely on lubricated bearings to operate. As bearings lose their lubrication, they may wear down and could make a screeching noise. **Left too long and this component of your car will break down. **
Try to decipher whether the screech is coming from
under the hood
or a specific wheel, and what action triggers the noise (braking, accelerating, running your car, or turning). This will help a mechanic determine the problem.
While
Jerry
can’t push your car, this
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Good luck resolving the screeching. We’re proud of you for standing by the car you love!
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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