Who doesn't like the rumble through a pair of glass packs or the smooth idle of a well-tuned engine? But anyone who likes cars knows there are good sounds and not-so-good ones. However, even those trouble signs can help us diagnose* a problem, sometimes before it gets worse. Here are some of the more common sounds:

Noises Coming from Under Your Car or from the Wheels

1. Chirping: Wear sensors in the brakes are telling you it's time to get a brake job. Once in a while, it indicates the brake is sticking or hanging; changing your brake fluid might help.

2. Grinding: Sound like metal rubbing on metal? Bad news! Probably the brake pads are worn out; look after it pronto or it will end up costing you a lot more. A similar, but not so harsh, sound can simply be a buildup of brake dust.

3. Squeaking: If you hear this when you hit a bump, it might be the rubber bushings used as dampeners in the suspension. If your car keeps bouncing after hitting a bump, check your shocks and struts.