# Can anyone identify this noise? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** spectra, kia\ **Created:** [December 2, 2009, 9:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255 "2009-12-02T09:12:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![falchion33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f19dbf/32.png) [@falchion33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/falchion33)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 9:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/1 "2009-12-02T09:12:31Z")
I have a 2009 Kia Spectra with approx 35k miles. Tonight, I noticed a high pitched whistling noise when I was driving. It happened more often when I first started driving and would eventually go away at times. It also would stop making the noise when I put on the brakes. Does anyone have any idea what would cause such a noise, what kind of repair would be necessary to fix it, and if it is expensive ? I appreciate any advice you can give me. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 11:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/2 "2009-12-02T11:09:57Z")
It sounds like a vacuum leak somewhere. I suggest you hunt this one down sooner than later as there may not be a later. Your brakes use vacuum so if that leak becomes larger it could make stopping your car a lot harder, most likely at just the wrong time. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 11:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/3 "2009-12-02T11:38:18Z")
The brake pad wear indicator makes a high-pitched squeal that stops when you step on the brake pedal. I suggest having someone look at the brake pads. It may be time for new ones. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/4 "2009-12-02T14:36:14Z")
mcp has almost certainly nailed it. Don’t wait - if you wear through the pads you will not only lose significant braking power but will also ruin your rotors. ---
**Author:** ![falchion33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f19dbf/32.png) [@falchion33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/falchion33)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2009, 4:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/5 "2009-12-03T04:15:01Z")
I drove it around town today running errands and the sound was gone. The brakes seemed to be working fine, no squealing or grinding. So, now I don’t know what to do. ---
**Author:** ![rripstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/65b543/32.png) [@rripstop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rripstop)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/6 "2009-12-03T04:57:53Z")
Still doesn’t hurt to get the pads checked or check yourself if you are comfortable doing that. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2009, 6:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/7 "2009-12-03T06:37:27Z")
Front brake pads for sure. At 35K it is possible. It’s a very high pitched squeal, not too loud. Those of us of a certain age can’t hear it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![falchion33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f19dbf/32.png) [@falchion33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/falchion33)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/8 "2009-12-07T20:51:33Z")
It’s not really a squeal, it’s more like a whistling noise. Pucker your lips and whistle at the highest pitch that you can and that’s my noise. I have an appointment at Midas on wednesday and I’m also going to see if they will check the wheel bearings. Someone on another forum suggested that as the possible source of the noise. I just don’t want to pay for an expensive brake job if it’s not necessary. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/9 "2009-12-07T22:31:08Z")
You’d be much better off finding a reputable, local, independent mechanic and avoiding the corporate chain places (such as Midas). Ask around among friends, co-workers, etc. Though - actually - a 2009 w/ 35K you should probably start at the dealer. Brake pads will not be under warranty, but many other things should be. If you do go there & it is brake pads you can always go to another shop if their prices are thru the roof. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 11:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/10 "2009-12-08T11:24:02Z")
I would have the brakes checked as well. The fact you did not hear it today could be nothing more than a change in temperature. In any case if it is the brake wear warning it will be coming back. It is not urgent, but it is important. ---
**Author:** ![Cathy\_Wathy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@Cathy\_Wathy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cathy_Wathy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/11 "2017-12-01T21:20:04Z")
Hello, I was wondering if you ever found out what the high pitched whistling noise that your Kia was making was? Mine is doing the same thing. Any help would be appreciated 🙂 Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-noise/40255/12 "2017-12-02T02:24:48Z")
Ray mentioned on the show one time he had a customer with that problem, turned out to be some small plastic part had fallen off something hollow on the exterior of the car and it created a whistling effect that stopped if you weren’t going fast enough to create the necessary wind force.