Car Whining When Accelerating? Here’s What You Should Do

Whining noise when accelerating is very annoying. It forces you to flinch each time you start your car because the whining noise is possibly going to disturb your neighbors, and do you have any idea why this happens and how to remove this awkward problem?

With continuous use, most car parts wear out and begin to show issues. It’s not a preventable thing but it is quite easy to diagnose the problem and fit it before it can get out of control. So, this guide will cover everything that you need to know regarding the whining noise produced in your car when accelerating.

whining noise when accelerating

7 Reasons why your car is making whining noise when accelerating

When your car makes this weird noise, there is a problem somewhere. Sometimes it is very hard to establish these problems but below is a list of the reasons why your car produces that whining noise. You can therefore visit your car mechanic to solve your car problems. They include:

#1. Transmission Issues

A car mechanic repairing automatic transmission
A car mechanic repairing automatic transmission.

You should thoroughly check on the transmission whenever your car produces those weird sounds whenever you are speeding. This usually happens because of worn gears or low transmission fluid levels. With a low level of fluid, you are most likely going to experience all sorts of problems starting with the production of grousing sounds. You can always refill your fluid to curb this kind of problem.

If you can hear these noises whenever your vehicle is in motion, then it is a different case because this usually signifies an issue in the bearings or gears. For example, the planetary gear sets to produce the whining sound whenever it is wearing out but usually happens only when your car starts moving.

You can change these gear components whenever they are worn out. Try your best and replace any of the above components whenever your start hearing the whining to avoid spending much after some time.

#2. Engine Problems

Closeup of man repairing a broken car engine
Closeup of man repairing a broken car engine.

Whenever you hear the whining noise rising every it can indicate that there is a problem in the engine as well. It can be having a mechanical problem and therefore you should visit a mechanic during such circumstances for a better diagnosis.

However, you can do only when you are sure that the problem is with the engine. You can shift the gear into a neutral mode and crank the engine more gently. So, whenever you hear some noises, it could be having some relations with the engine speed, making the engine be the sole cause of the noises.

Expert Tip: If you do not hear any noises when your car is in the gear, then the problem cannot be the engine rather transmission or any other thing.

Since the engine is the main component of your car you should ensure proper maintenance to keep your car in a good state and prevent these whining noises from arising whenever you are driving.

#3. Steering Wheel Problems

Steering wheel repair
Steering wheel repair.

Do you hear the whining noises whenever you move the steering wheel? Well, the steering wheel could be the main cause of these weird noises. You could be having a loose belt in your car which causes all these noises.

Therefore, you can easily fix this problem by tightening the steering wheel. Whenever you hear any whining noise when accelerating go ahead and fix the belt for a better and comfortable driving experience.

Apart from this, the wheel bearing plays a major role if they are worn out in the production of the whining sounds. These wheel bearings ensure that your car moves smoothly. So. without this, you can check on them. When these wheel bearings are completely worn you will hear some weird sounds when driving your car down the round.

No matter the kind of wheel bearings, they are all prone to wear out with time. Therefore, be ready to replace them when the need arises. You should never assume such scenarios because they can cause more damages with time.

#4. Power Steering Problems

Repairing the car power steering gearbox
Repairing the car power steering gearbox.

Whenever there is a leak in the power steering system, you will experience some whining noise while accelerating. So. if you see some drips under your car or a well visible drop in the power steering fluid then this could be the damn cause of the weird problems.

These leaks will most likely occur from the gear or steering rack as compared to the pump itself. For your to prevent this problem from occurring, you can replace or repair the damaged parts and refill back the power steering fluid.

You can as well opt for an easy fix that is a great addition to stopping leaks in the reservoir. When you are done adding the anti-stop leak mixture, you can then add back the power steering fluid. Additionally, you can decide to go for other solutions since the market has many good quality products that will help you fix the problem without having to do any replacements.

The Power Steering Stop Leak Concentrate offers you the best solution because it restores the seals and O-rings. This helps to seal fluid leaks and works with any kind of power steering fluid.

#5. Damaged Clutch Components

A car mechanic holding a clutch plate
A car mechanic holding a clutch plate.

Whenever you experience whining on your manual, it signifies that there is a problem with your car. Specifically, if it occurs frequently when you press the clutch of the gear shifting, it means that your release bearing could be damaged.

The pilot bearing could be having a problem if at all the sounds starts when your car starts moving or when you release the clutch. You can easily fix this problem in both scenarios by replacing the clutch.

Manual transmission only gets engaged whenever your car starts running or when the gear is in neutral mode with an engaged clutch. So. when the sounds start when your car is moving, you should do a transmission check on the bearing and driveline.

#6. Low Engine Oil

Mechanic checking engine oil
Mechanic checking engine oil.

Whenever you hear any whining noise while accelerating you should first check the level of your engine oil. This could be the major cause of the weird noises. A low level of engine oil causes this whining noise. The tank of the engine oil is usually located near the brake fluid reservoir.

You can use a dipstick when you need to check the level of the engine oil. This dipstick has two-level to show you add some more oil. When it is below the “add” mark, it indicates that you need to add back the oil. When between the “add* and “full” then you have nothing to worry about because the oil is sufficient.

If you detect this problem during the early stages you can save your car from any severe damages. Therefore, you always check on the engine oil level at most times to avoid any weird sounds as you accelerate.

#7. Torque Converter Problems

Automatic transmission with torque converter
Automatic transmission with torque converter.

Most of these modern and automatic cars have a torque converter to replace the clutch. It usually rotates whenever your engine starts rotating. If you can hear a whining sound whenever you shift the gear to the reverse or forward and disappear when in neutral mode, you should pay keen attention to the torque converter.

How to fix whining noise in cars

You’ll be tempted to seek mechanic intervention when your vehicle is producing continuous whining noise, particularly if you can’t differentiate the source. But notunless you don’t mind parting with a huge amount of money for repair, this shouldn’t be the first thing to do. A lot of whining issues can be solved by replacing belts or so some tightening, that you can do alone, or even by changing the fluid.

As a fact, the first thing you ought to do any time you start hearing whining sound from your car is to check your fluid content level. If you find one at a lower level than another, there are high chances you’ve found where the problem emanated from. Ordinarily, when you have too low oil level, transmission, or power steering oil, you need to get them to their proper levels.

When you hear a whining sound coming from your car, the first thing you should do is check the fluid level.

However, this isn’t always enough. If the low level has been an occasional occurrence, it may be because of a leak that is in your unit, and no matter how you top up. your fluids will still get low again.

And to avoid such menace from causing you trouble, you just pour in any stop-leak addictive before pouring new oil, power steering fluid, or transmission fluid. These addictive has been effective in ensuring no leak is an experience in the systems.

These products are known to fill holes and cracks while revitalizing the seals which may have worn out to ensure they become effective once again. The addictive does not only end all active leaks but also acts as effective preventive maintenance for any future dysfunction and leaks.

Another effective way of resolving whining sound in your car is by examining the transmission. Doing a thorough check of your transmission system mostly if you hear a whining sound when you just start your car or when you speeding up.

This can occur when the transmission fluid level is low or when it has worn-out gears. Low fluid levels can cause great problems, and the major sign is when you start hearing a bizarre noise. If you need to try out your solution because go further, ensure you refill the fluid.

Additionally, if the whining is coming from the brake area, the brake pads might be the problem.

Expert Tip: When did you last replace the brake pads? By answering that question, you’ll be in a better position to note whether the brake pads are due for replacement or not. If that is the case you need to visit the repair shop to have your brake pads replaced before things get out of hand.

Then, for the clutch failure, which also is accompanied by a whining noise, you need to the sound difference of this before you can conclude the problem. You know thatthe clutch has a problem, when the vehicle’s engine is loud when accelerating the RPM of the car is high and the speed is low.

To resolve this problem, you need first to know that the clutch is located inside the engine, and you are left with little to nothing to do about it. Tow the vehicle to a garage and be ready to part with some sum of money.

Further, if the noise is coming from the infotainment system earth leakage, here are some simple ways of resolving the problem:

  • Ensure the noise isn’t coming from the engine bay. should be coming from the speakers.
  • Check the wiring of the infotainment unit and look out for the wire that has torn for insulation.
  • Also, inspect the cables and ensure that they’re not coming in contact with the car’s body.
  • Moreover, if you’re using an FM modulator or a Bluetooth modulator, disconnect them and put new ones to see if they’re the ones causing the issue.

What’s more, if you’re charging your mobile device using a 12V outlet in your car and running music through an AUX cable in tandem, it can make the vehicle produce a whining noise as you drive, therefore, try to delink the mobile device and the noise might go away.

Another whining that you’ll hear is the one related to the transmission noise. This issue is normally connected with vibration. This noise is noticeable when you drive the vehicle on a smooth road and in case you feel abnormal, the noise is coming from the transmission system.

So, to mitigate this problem, there are some things that you can do to handle it. Of course, there are limited to nothings that you can do. but to get rid of the issue, you need to cross-check the transmission fluid and in case it’s not full, you can top it with ease. Secondly the oil of the transmission is due. it is better to change it before the date reaches.

Finally, if the noise is from a forced induction system, and a whining noise comes when you accelerate then you’re unfortunate, it has no shortcut, you need to take your car to a professional. You’ll have to pay some amount but in the long run. it will be of great benefit to you. before everything can go overboard.

What is the whining sound coming from my car?

Whining and whirring noises usually differ as the engine moves slow or fast, and they can be an indicator of a wide range of problems, like a problem with air conditioning system, a failing indicator, low power steering fluid, a bad power steering pump, or even a failing water pump.

Essentially, when you hear an unusual sound from your car. then it’s the same thing altogether: there is the part that is worn out, just as simple as that. But remember if you leave the sound to persist without paying attention, you may end up putting your car at risk of damaging its entire system.

Expert Tip: It is recommended that when you feel that their a problem in your car, have a look at it immediately, you may save you save hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

So, what is the whining sound coming from my car?

The car alternator
The car alternator.

Well, the sound coming out from your car may be an alternator that is driven by the belt. As you may know, an alternator is an important component in the car – not only does it power the electric unit in your car when it running but also recharge the battery of your car. But as time goes by. the alternator may end up wearing out That is when you hear the sound coming from your car with squealing noise.

The whining sound can also be heard from the worn drive belt. The belt of the alternator is concerned with the running of other components of the engine. And because the drive belt is from a rubber material, it will eventually wear down. The sound that is usually produced in such conditions is a squeaking noise that irritates.

The other place where the whining sound comes from is from worn pulley bearings. When the bearing is worn out or damaged the whining sound will be so persistent.

Conclusion

Sometimes it is very difficult to establish the root cause of the whining noises from your car. This is because many factors contribute to this problem. When under this circumstance, you can call a mechanic to come to check out where the problem is and come up with the best solution.

It is wiser to fix the problem as soon as possible to avoid incurring more costs arising from more damages. Ideally, you can do some regular maintenance, to find a problem before it arises. Here you are ensuring that you are safer and your car will always perform in the best manner whatsoever. With the list above, we believe you can always find the root cause of the whining sounds when accelerating your car.

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About Brock Rangel

Hi, I am Brock, and I am the lead editor/photographer for TheCarColony. I have been a mechanic for over 14 years now, and I am here to spread my car knowledge across the web!