Hearing a ticking noise when your car's engine is cold? When a car is in good physical and mechanical condition, there shouldn't be any strange noises, especially an annoying ticking sound. If you're experiencing this, it indicates that something is wrong with your vehicle.
You need to take immediate action to get your car back to normal without making any strange noises. But what exactly causes a car to make that ticking sound? And how can it be fixed? Don't miss the complete discussion until the end of the article!
There are actually quite a few reasons why a car engine might make strange noises. However, there are 4 main factors that can cause this condition. What are they?
Incorrect Oil Viscosity and Uneven Distribution The first reason for a car engine ticking noise is due to oil viscosity that doesn't meet the standard. As mentioned in an article on Auto2000 (2022), each vehicle engine has different oil requirements and must be adjusted to the engine's specifications. Therefore, forcing the use of oil with a viscosity below the standard will make it thin. As a result, the oil cannot lubricate the engine evenly, causing rough friction between components. This is where the ticking sound comes from when the engine is cold.
Loose or Worn Engine Components The appearance of a ticking noise in a cold engine can also be caused by loose or worn components. This condition causes the components to wear out and eventually produce the strange noise when starting the engine or during the cooling process after use.
Infrequent Engine Warm-up Executive Coordinator Technical Division PT Astra Daihatsu Motor, Bamban Supriyadi, said that cars should be warmed up regularly, both before use and when not in use. This is especially true for vehicles over 7 years old. The engine should be running for 10-15 minutes every day. When the engine is rarely, or never, warmed up, it causes the oil to not be pumped evenly. As a result, the upper part of the engine becomes dry, causing the annoying ticking noise.
Poor Fuel Selection Not only oil, but the ticking noise of a car engine can also be triggered by the choice of poor fuel. For example, when the engine has a specific compatibility with Pertamax, but you choose regular gasoline. Based on an article on Otoklix (2022), this causes incomplete combustion and engine problems, resulting in noise, even in cold conditions.
So, how do you fix a ticking noise in a cold engine, so that your vehicle stops making strange noises? It's easy, you can follow these simple tips from Suzuki Indonesia!
Basically, the ticking noise in a cold engine is a condition that you should be aware of, as it indicates something is wrong with your vehicle. However, this can still be solved through simple steps, as explained above. Talking about boosters to improve engine performance, you can rely on Verdeen Catalyst Gasoline or eRBe. This product is compatible with cars, pickups, and logistics trucks. Its functions are very diverse, as explained below.
