You hop in the car on a hot New Orleans afternoon, start it up, and immediately hear a high-pitched squeak—maybe from under the hood, the suspension, or even inside the cabin. It might fade after a few minutes, or it could stick around the entire drive. Either way, it’s annoying—and it makes you wonder if something’s wrong. So, is it normal? Not exactly. But it is common.
Here’s why heat can bring out those squeaky noises in your car and what you can do to quiet them down for good.
Heat Affects Rubber and Metal in Unexpected Ways
Your car is full of components made from rubber, plastic, and metal—all materials that react to heat. When temperatures rise, rubber bushings, belts, and seals expand and soften, while metal parts expand at a different rate. This can lead to slight movement, misalignment, or friction between parts that don’t normally rub against each other.
That friction is what causes squeaks. So while the noise might not be dangerous, it’s usually a sign that something is worn, dry, or starting to shift out of spec due to age or temperature changes.
Serpentine Belts Are the Most Common Culprits
One of the most common heat-related squeaks comes from under the hood—and it’s usually the serpentine belt. This belt drives your alternator, power steering, and A/C compressor. When it’s worn, loose, or glazed from age and heat exposure, it can start to slip slightly, creating that high-pitched squeal you hear at startup or during acceleration.
In hot, humid places like New Orleans, belts wear out faster due to the constant exposure to extreme conditions. If the squeak gets louder when you turn on the A/C or steer sharply, it’s time to have the belt and tensioner inspected.
Suspension Components Dry Out and Shift
If the squeak seems to come from the wheels or body when you go over bumps, it could be dry suspension bushings or ball joints. These rubber components are designed to flex and absorb road shock, but they can dry out and lose flexibility over time—especially in high temperatures.
When the rubber isn’t doing its job, the metal parts can start to squeak against each other. The sound may be worse when the vehicle is hot, and the suspension is under more pressure.
Door Seals and Interior Panels Can Shrink and Rub
Not all squeaks are mechanical. In hot weather, interior trim panels, dashboard components, and even door seals can expand or contract, creating friction between materials that normally sit quietly against each other. You might hear a squeak when the car flexes slightly on uneven pavement or when closing a door.
Lubricating rubber seals with a silicone-based product can quiet these sounds, and you can have the trim inspected if the noise persists.
Brakes Make Noise in the Heat
Brake pads can also start to squeak when hot, especially if they’re getting thin or were installed without proper anti-squeal shims. Some performance or semi-metallic brake pads naturally make more noise—but if you’re hearing a consistent squeal during normal driving, it might be time for a brake check.
The noise could also be coming from the dust shield behind the brake rotor, especially if it’s bent or rubbing due to expansion in the heat.
When Is a Squeak Worth Worrying About
While not all squeaks are serious, they’re still worth paying attention to—especially if the sound is new, getting louder, or tied to a specific action like braking or turning.
You should have the car inspected if:
- The squeak happens every time you start the car
- It’s tied to steering, braking, or going over bumps
- It’s accompanied by a warning light or change in handling
- It continues even after the vehicle has warmed up
We can isolate the source, determine whether it’s just a nuisance or something more, and help you prevent future wear or failure.
NOLA Automotive Repairs – Heat-Ready Vehicle Care in New Orleans, LA
If your car is squeaking more than usual in the New Orleans heat, let the experts at NOLA Automotive Repairs take a look. From belts and bushings to brakes and bearings, we’ll find the source of the noise and fix it the right way.