When the weather gets colder, sometimes the noises your vehicle makes will change. For example, you may notice a whining sound when you get going in the morning. It may go away when the vehicle warms up, but it's best not to ignore that sound because it could be a warning of worse things to come.
Most engines are somewhat louder on cold startup. This is due to metal parts that have not warmed and are contracted from the cold. As metal cools it contracts (gets smaller) which means there is more space between the moving parts and more space between moving parts means more noise.
Meanwhile all the moving parts are starved of oil. With no cushion of oil between the mating surfaces they will clash and grind together, and make more noise. The situation will remain so until 'running' temperature is reached, the situation will quieten down in time.
Why does my car make a whirring sound when its cold?
Sometimes a worn-out water pump or power steering pump or fuel pump will make a whirring noise. Sometimes a worn serpentine belt will too. Or, could be that the heater/AC fan needs replacing because its bearings are worn out. Why does my car sound loud and shaky when it's cold?
Cold temperatures affect the chemical process inside the battery and reduce its ability to hold a charge. It also thickens engine oil, increasing friction in the starter motor and forcing it to work harder. Your alternator belt is also prone to cracking in extremely cold conditions.
The Surprising Reason Cars Sound Different | WheelHouse
Why is my car idling rough when its cold?
A little rough due to calibration of the idle air control valve is usual. If roughness seems excess, you likely have a defective Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Or you might have a clogged engine intake air filter, worn/dirty injectors, or a defect in the spark plugs, wires or coils.
First, the fluids in your vehicle. Cold temperatures can make them behave a little differently, such as engine oil, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Those characteristics could change if the fluids are older and full of contaminants. Belts also can create a whining noise when cold.
Sometimes, tinnitus is a sign of high blood pressure, an allergy, or anemia. In rare cases, tinnitus is a sign of a serious problem such as a tumor or aneurysm. Other risk factors for tinnitus include temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), diabetes, thyroid problems, obesity, and head injury.
Causes include the starter not lining up correctly with the ring gear on the flywheel, missing or damaged gear teeth, or a faulty solenoid. Replacing the starter is most often the right solution. However, if there is damage to the ring gear on the flywheel, the ring gear will need to be replaced.
The very low humidity in the cold air allows better propagation of sound, since moisture attenuates its transmission. As well as this, the high pressure is associated with a sinking layer of dense, cold air, causing what is known as a subsidence inversion.
Besides performance, your vehicle's cold air intake enhances the sound of your car. It empowers your car to sound louder and perform better. Additionally, installing a cold air intake systems in your vehicle allows you to hear a unique sound from your engine — the sound of cold air dashing into your car's engine.
Because sound moves faster in warm air than colder air, the wave bends away from the warm air and back toward the ground. That's why sound is able to travel farther in chilly weather. Of course, there's a lot more that makes winter mornings quiet than just the speed of sound.
Fuel injectors can accumulate dirt and grime over time, just like carburetors can. If your car sounds loud when idling, has been getting poor gas mileage, or both, a dirty carburetor may be the issue. As with carburetors, fuel injector cleaners can help you keep your system clean, efficient, and fully functional.
Warm weather leads to more efficient engine operation, as the oil flows more easily, and the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature faster. However, the hotter months are also when you might expect more engine overheating issues.
That “humming” noise can be caused by more than just the tires. It could also be the sound of the rear axle bearings failing or even the bearings on the ring and pinion gears inside the differential. There is also the possibility of the front wheel bearings going bad as well as the alignment you already mentioned.
The three key fluid leaks to look out for when your car is whining are the power steering fluid, the transmission fluid, and your engine oil. By repairing these leaks, you ensure that the affected systems have enough fluid to operate as intended.
Droning. A droning noise that gets louder as you accelerate may be coming from your tires—particularly if they're old or worn. It could also be a sign that you have "feathered" tires, meaning the treads are wearing unevenly. Your tires are an important safety feature, so get them checked.
When a fuel filter is clogged it starves the engine of fuel and can cause the engine pressure to drop. As a result, you may hear a knocking sound. A clogged fuel filter may present like one of the symptoms above, but it's also possible that your car may not start at all. Your engine needs fuel to turn over.
Generally, you can expect your car's manufacturer to recommend you to change the fuel filters once every 20,000 to 150,000 miles. Since this is a wide range, you'll have to look at your owner's manual for the most accurate fuel filter replacement intervals for your vehicle's make and model.
Most modern vehicles have a handy test port located on the fuel rail. Next, turn the ignition to the on position (key on, engine off), note the reading on the gauge and compare it to the specification listed in your repair manual. If the reading varies significantly from spec, you may be dealing with a bad fuel pump.
Ray: The driveability problem could be caused by something such as a bad coolant temperature sensor, a bad air-mass meter, or even partially plugged-up fuel injectors. Any of those things could cause sputtering when the engine is cold.
Why your car struggles to start but runs fine. There are a number of reasons why your car might be slow to start but runs as-normal once it gets going. Causes can vary from weather conditions to battery health, wiring issues, starter motor concerns and fuel-pump health.
While some cases are less severe than others, a rough idle is usually identifiable by a shaking and bouncing sensation in the vehicle. You may also notice odd sounds, as well as inconsistent RPM counts. Normally, a vehicle should have a smooth and consistent RPM rate of around 1,000.
Air molecules move at a slower pace when the temperature is cold, so they carry sound waves at a slower pace as well. Of course, speed isn't everything. Have you ever noticed that you're able to hear sounds from farther away on cold days? It's not just your imagination!
