Modern cars are generally well-built and durable, thanks to improvements in manufacturing technology. However, your car is only as good as its weakest link, or part in this case. Over time, wear and tear can cause various parts of a car to fail, and this can introduce strange noises while operating your vehicle.

Unusual sounds typically signal the need to replace a part. Should the issue persist, it might snowball into more severe problems. Here are some common sounds you might hear:

Engine having knocking or tapping noises

If your car’s engine is making weird knocking or pinging sounds, it could mean that the wrong fuel was used in your car. Pumping in incorrect octane levels for your car is the most common cause of this.

Thankfully, this isn’t a serious issue. Just make sure you give your car the right fuel next time you hit the pumps.

On the flip side, if you hear distinct tapping sounds coming from your engine, this could mean that your engine oil levels are low. Continue running without sufficient oil, and your engine will self-destruct down the line, so make sure it’s topped up at all times. 

It’s good practice to periodically check your oil levels too, as this can help spot potential oil leaks in your car.

Loud noises from the exhaust

Unlike the ever-annoying pop-and-bang engine tunes, a loud “boom” noise produced from your car’s exhaust could be due to a faulty catalytic converter. 

Best to get this one checked as soon as possible, as faulty catalytic converters can even cause fires if not addressed.

Metal grinding noises when braking

This is usually a tell-tale sign that your brake pads are wearing out. Ignore this, and the grinding sound can translate into more serious problems down the line.

If bare metal rubs against your rotors, this could be a costly repair bill to replace, so get those pads checked!

Metal grinding noises in general

This is different from braking, as metal-on-metal grinding sounds can mean something on your car is out of alignment. Each and every component of a car should work in unison, and two components rubbing against each other is obviously not good.

This isn’t isolated to a particular area of a car too, and the severity of the issue is all down to what component is causing the issue.

Screech or Squeal each time you turn the wheel

If each time you turn the wheel and you hear a weird squealing or screeching sound, it may indicate that your power steering fluid is low, thus causing a lot of friction.

Alternatively, if you hear this noise but the wheel turns easily, then it could be a loose or worn power steering belt instead.

Sizzling noises

Similar to that hot plate dish you just ordered from a restaurant, sizzling sounds coming from the engine bay can mean excess fluid is coming into contact with the car’s hot engine. This fluid could be oil, transmission fluid, or coolant. 

The sound can also be attributed to an overheating engine, which is caused by the lack of sufficient coolant fluid. If you hear this sound, quickly pull over at a safe spot and turn off your engine.

DO NOT attempt to open your bonnet or any component until your car has cooled down. Some fluids can easily reach extremely high temperatures, and can easily scald you if you’re not careful. 

Flowing water

Each time you apply the brakes, you might hear the sound of rushing water or fluid running through your car’s systems.

This sound might indicate that your car’s brake fluid is leaking, and without enough fluid in your system, this could lead to issues like brake loss, so it’s best to get this checked out.

Subdued cracking noises when idling

This typically means your water pump might be kicking the bucket soon.

Water pump bearings with weakened seals, in conjunction with the belt rubbing against it, may cause strange cranking sounds to emanate from the car.

Peace of mind with AutoApp

Unusual sounds should be addressed immediately, as persistent problems can result in costly repair bills down the line.

If you notice a strange sound coming from your car but do not know how to diagnose it, why not give AutoApp a try?

Best of all, AutoApp is now running a promotion for basic servicing for new customers! Score $20 off your first servicing with us with the promo code – FOMO20. Better yet, all first-time customers also receive free concierge services (Collection & Delivery only) for your first booking with us!

Limited to the first 50 customers, so get started on AutoApp’s mobile app today, and claim your discount now!

Terms & Conditions

1. Valid for first 50 New Customers only.
2. Promo code must be mentioned during booking.
3. Promo code is only valid for servicing packages.
4. Booking must be received before 31st July 2023.
5. Free Collection & Delivery (U.P. $68) will also apply for all first-time customers.
6. Prevailing $5 booking fee & GST will apply.
7. Not valid with any other offers.

Tyre rotation is one of the simplest maintenance routines one can perform for their car. It only takes up a short period of your time, and costs next to nothing to undergo. However, this simple but crucial maintenance step is often overlooked, and it can lead to uneven tyre wear over time.

Ideally, you would want to replace all four tyres at the same time. With all four tyres having even amounts of wear, it makes it easier to keep track as well.

So what does ‘tyre rotation’ mean?

The term ‘tyre rotation’ means periodically changing the position of each tyre on your vehicle. You should rotate your tyres as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, or if that information isn’t available, a good rule of thumb would be roughly every 8,000-10,000 kilometres.

Rotating your tyres also provide good opportunities to visually inspect each wheel for damage or to check if there is sufficient air pressure. You can even have them rebalanced if you’re noticing any vibration whilst driving, or inspect their tread depth to see if you are in need of a new set.

Why is it important?

There are several reasons why tyre rotation is a simple but important affair. By routinely rotating your tyres, wear and tear are spread evenly across all four tyres, maximising your tyre set’s lifespan. Depending on the type of car you are driving, your car’s wear pattern will vary slightly.

With even tread wear across all four tyres, handling and performance characteristics are kept consistent across all four tyres, improving safety.

For those of you who drive all-wheel-drive cars (looking at you Subaru owners), evenly worn tyres can lower the stresses on the drivetrain, reducing overall wear on expensive drive components. You would rather replace some tyres than an entire driveshaft, right?

Tyre Rotation Patterns

There are several different tyre rotation patterns that exist, and each is tailored to a specific kind of car. In most applications, the standard tyre rotation pattern is front-to-rear, but here are some other patterns that could also help promote longer tyre life.

Front-to-rear

• Rear tyres swap with the front tyres, done on the same side of the vehicle
• Used in situations when wear is normal, and also when tyres have directional tread (designed to roll in one direction)

Forward cross (Front-wheel drive vehicles)

• Front tyres are swapped to the rear, done on the same side of the vehicle
• Rear tyres are crossed to opposite sides when swapped to the front
• Used in situations when rear tyres show uneven wear

X-pattern (All types of vehicles)

• Front tyres are swapped with rear tyres in a cross or X pattern (E.g. Front left tyre is swapped with the rear right tyre)
• Used in situations when there’s uneven wear

Rearward cross (All-wheel, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles)

• Rear tyres are swapped to the front, done on the same side of the vehicle
• Front tyres are crossed to opposite sides when swapped to the rear
• Used in situations when there’s uneven front tyre wear

Side-to-Side (Staggered ‘differently sized’ wheels)

• Both front and rear tyres are swapped to opposite sides of the vehicle
• Used in situations when your front and rear tyres have different tyre widths and sizes

Schedule your tyre rotation appointment with AutoApp

If you are unsure of whether or not you need to rotate your tyres, or are looking for a reputable source to help you with it, why not try AutoApp today! AutoApp is a convenient one-stop platform for car servicing, maintenance and repair.

Our roster of specialised ambassadors and workshop partners will ensure your vehicle gets the best servicing treatment around.

Download AutoApp today, available on both the App Store and Google Playstore, via this link.

With COE prices skyrocketing to oblivion, new cars are becoming less obtainable to the majority of buyers. As such, they may be looking into either renewing their current car’s COE, or shopping in the pre-owned market.

While older cars tend to have lesser features, they can be just as reliable as their brand-new counterparts. As long as you don’t neglect regular servicing, they can happily pur along our roads for years to come. Here are some common faults that older cars tend to have, and how to avoid them.

Regular maintenance is key

With thousands of components working together in tandem, there’s so much that can go wrong in an engine, especially in older cars where components may be worn down. Thus, we feel it’s vital to get your older car looked at by a mechanic or workshop at least once a year.

The last thing you want is an unexpected problem to pop up when you are out for a nice drive. Being stranded at the side of the road is never a fun thing to experience, so to avoid this it’s always in your best interest to bring your car in for regular servicing.

Oil’s well that ends well

If you can’t remember the last time you changed your oil, go do it now. Healthy cars are regularly serviced, and arguably one of the easiest things to replace is engine oil.

Over time, oil can lose its viscosity, and you don’t want black sludge to be running around in your engine, clogging vital engine components. Worse still, if you do not have sufficient oil circulating in your engine, this can lead to overheating or accelerated wear and tear.

If you are unsure of what grade of oil to put in, consult your car’s owner’s manual for the recommended type. You can either take your car to a trusted mechanic or if you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, oil changes are a great way to enter the world of DIY auto repairs.

Keeping it cool

Your engine is making thousands of explosions a day to keep you moving down the road. Understandably, things will get pretty hot, which is why cars have cooling systems.

While it doesn’t need to be replaced as often, coolant is just as important as oil in an engine. Make sure your car is topped off with coolant, and it’s always good to keep an eye on your temperature gauge for older cars. If there are any leaks coming from your radiator or hoses, get them replaced immediately. Without cooling, your car may suffer catastrophic failures, and blown engine parts are not something you would want to deal with.

Timing is everything

Most modern cars have a timing belt or chain which ensures all moving parts of the engine run smoothly. But, improper maintenance or worn belts can kill your car’s engine in a matter of seconds.

As a general guide, timing belts need to be replaced every 100,000 to 150,000 kilometres, while chains are more robust and need to be changed less frequently, with each needing to be replaced only every 130,000 to 200,000 kilometres, depending on your engine or car.

This isn’t going to be a cheap workshop visit, but once you get it over with, you won’t have to worry about another one for years.

Invest in the best tyres and brakes

We’ve all experienced this before – you ran over something while driving and your tyre is now a shredded mess. You obviously need a new tyre, and you hesitate on spending hundreds of dollars on a reputable brand, so you cheap out and get a tyre with a questionable brand. You do save money now, but going cheap on essentials like tyres can cost you more further down the line.

Tyres are one of the most important parts of a car. These round pieces of black rubber are the only things connecting your car to the road and are built to be able to keep you safe, even in precarious driving conditions. While they are cheaper, off-brand tyres may wear out faster or unevenly. Plus, without proper certification, these tyres may not be able to work effectively in situations like emergency braking or aquaplaning. To stay safe on the roads, it is advisable to get tyre brands that are reputable.

This rule also applies to your brakes. They’re the only things that can stop your car effectively, and having sub-par brakes may affect your car’s effective braking distance in emergencies. If you love your car, pay a little more and get the best. Trust us, it can save you money over the long haul!

Don’t be afraid to drive it

Say you own an older, high-mileage car. Yes, it is going to have its quirks, but contrary to popular belief, driving your car regularly can actually prolong its life.

A car that’s driven regularly is definitely a happy car, and driving it can keep things like hoses and gaskets from drying out, while essential vehicle fluids like oil, and coolants keep metal parts sufficiently lubricated and cool.

If you neglect an old car for a while, chances are you’ll start seeing leaks, and it is not an enjoyable experience to frequently visit workshops. So do your car a favour, and drive it regularly.

Need easy and simple car maintenance?

Here at AutoApp, we have lots of specialists who are able to take care of your car’s regular servicing. Best of all, you don’t even have to do anything! Just book an appointment via our mobile application, and sit back and relax as our team handles all the nitty gritty for you. It’s that simple!

Check out what NOT to do with an automatic gearbox, and more car maintenance tips and tricks.

AutoApp has always been an ambitious project, with the main challenge of providing quality service whilst making it convenient and as fuss-free as possible for busy owners who are looking to service their vehicles but simply do not have the time.

Two years on, AutoApp has surpassed over a thousand registered users and is continuously expanding to offer more automotive services for both you and your vehicle.

How it started

The idea of AutoApp came to be when one of its founders, Sheldon Trollope, felt frustrated when he had to spend precious time waiting in line for his vehicle’s road tax renewal inspection. Time which could have been better spent pursuing other endeavours, while someone else handles this mundane vehicular chore for him. 

“Joel (Tam) and I commiserated about this one day and he also noted that when it comes to car advice, we were the go-to guys in our respective circles. So we decided there and then, that we could turn our expertise into a business and that’s how AutoApp was born.” 

To get the service off the ground, the pair roped in co-founder Alvin Tan, who had more than a decade of operational experience in the car after-sales industry. As a team, they had the perfect combination of skill sets to launch AutoApp. 

How has it grown thus far

What started out as after-office-hours meetings and scribbles on pizza boxes has now grown into a full-fledged mobile application, with over a thousand registered users in two years. To date, the AutoApp Singapore team has serviced more than 250 vehicles and received the satisfaction of more than 200 happy customers. The app has also received glowing reviews consistently, a testament to something that the team is doing right. 

“By the time we celebrated our second anniversary in August, we’ve garnered a database of over 1,500 car owners and served close to 600 jobs. Our 100 percent 5-star rating across Google, Facebook, and our app speaks volumes about our customer service levels. I’m also proud to share that the metric that keeps our team going strong is the increasing repeat-customer rate which is climbing every week, despite us acquiring new customers at an equally encouraging pace.” added Joel Tam.

This growth has been incredible to the team, and now we have set new goals on taking this service overseas too, starting a brand new chapter in AutoApp’s history books!

Thank you for the support you’ve given to us

From the team here at AutoApp, we want to thank each and every cars-tomers (as we affectionately call them) and all our partners for supporting and putting their trust in us.

Aside from the convenience we bring, we continue to prioritise the roadworthiness of every car we serve, and we strive to continue serving you and your vehicle with the utmost highest quality service.

If you like to learn more about AutoApp and its services, check out our website or download the app today!