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Why is my Kia Optima making a ticking noise?

I was driving my son to school yesterday when I noticed a loud ticking noise coming from my Kia Optima. Now I’m concerned about driving it. What could be causing a car to tick?

avatar
Macy Fouse · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That’s never a good feeling! Your Kia Optima could be making a ticking noise for a few different reasons.
Here are some of the most common:
  • Your engine oil level is too low. This should only require getting an
    oil change
    and adding more oil.
  • Your hydraulic lifter or rocker arms are faulty or worn out. In this case, you’ll hear the ticking coming straight from the engine—and you’ll need to replace your hydraulic lifter ASAP.
  • Your wheels have a broken CV joint. If the ticking sound is coming from your wheels, causes range from a damaged CV joint and bad struts to loose hubcaps, a loose drive belt, or improper
    tire pressure on your Optima
    .
These are just a handful of issues that could be responsible for a ticking noise. If you’ve ruled out needing an oil change, it’s best to take your vehicle to a trustworthy mechanic to identify the cause.
Seeing to repairs as soon as possible is one of the best ways to take care of your car. Another way is to find a reliable
Kia Optima car insurance
policy by downloading the
Jerry
app.
Jerry is a licensed broker and insurance comparison tool that scans quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new
car insurance
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