It started with the engine sounding...different, like, louder and/or maybe rougher(?) than usual a couple days ago. The kids told me "it always sounds like that", and "you're just being crazy". But, yesterday on my way home from work it started making a worse-er sound.

It happens when I'm around 2k rpm, usually on the freeway/interstate. It was more frequent today, but it's not doing it consistently, so I'm worried when I take it in, it won't do the sound while they're looking at it.

I took this video today, trying to capture what it sounds like, but it's kind of quiet on my phone and I'm not sure if the service guy will let me slap a pair of headphones on him to listen to it, so I want to be able to describe the sound, but I dont really know how.

It sounds kind of scrape-ey maybe, a little bit hissy but not really, kind of clunky but not in a clunky way? Maybe like when you roll kitty litter with the vacuum, but...somehow wetter?....i dont know, but I do know that it sounds not good, like a car in pain.

Does this sound usually present with any other kinds of signs/symptoms that I should look for to tell the mechanic about?

There may be a slight loss of power when it happens too, but I'm not sure because I may just be easing off the gas without realizing it (because it sounds like something expensive is about to break)

Thank you.

Can someone with car knowledge give me some insight. So my car started making this weird ass noise. I don't know what it is. I am not good with cars period and I would like. If somebody with some insight could give me some things education on the topic, I can't afford to go to a mechanic currently. I just want to know more or less what the problem is before it gets worse.

is there an actual reason behind this sound?

There are a lot of Reddit posts asking, "My car is doing this, what's wrong with it" type questions. I've been in the auto industry for 10+ years. I made my way from an ASE certified tech to a regional manager that oversaw 80+ dealerships. Throughout the years, the most important thing that contributed to whether your car gets fixed on the first try or if it's going to take multiple attempts is DETAIL.

Here are some things to keep in mind when asking for help, and quite frankly should be included whether on Reddit or at an actual repair shop:

Year/make/model including trim, engine size, and transmission if necessary. This really should be a given.

What is it doing and how often - is it a sound, does it not start and if not, what else are you doing and how is the car behaving when it's not starting, did it shut off when you were driving, is there a vibration and where do you feel it (through the steering wheel, through the seat), etc.

When does it do it - time of day, after a long drive, after it sits a while, after short trips, while you're driving, etc.

Where does it happen - road conditions like a gravel road for example, over bumps, out in the open where noise doesn't echo or somewhere like an alley where it's a tighter spot and noise bounces

Weather and climate - hot, cold, rainy, sunny, humid, dry

How fast or slow are you moving or are you stationary

The more descriptive you are, the more help you give to Reddit and repair shops to better help you. It's almost like being able to clearly communicate good information is important and beneficial /s

Also, if you want to know how to describe noises your car is making, see below:

Car Noise Descriptions

BANG: A brief sharp sound, like from a gun. An engine backfire is an example.

BOOM: A hollow, low-frequency sound or sensation as from a bass drum or tympani, sometimes like a rolling bowling ball or thunder.

BUZZ: A constant sound in the low- to mid-range that may be felt through the steering wheel or floor vibrating like an electric shaver.

CHIRP: A bird-like sound that is often repetitive. Worn or misaligned accessory belts often chirp.

CLANG: A metallic ringing sound like a bell that reverberates briefly. Like the sound of dropping a wrench on the floor.

CLANK: A metallic striking sound that does not reverberate. Like a hammer striking an anvil.

CLICK: A light, high-frequency tapping sound. Like someone taking a picture or tapping a pencil on a desk. Often used to describe bad hydraulic lifters. (See also: tapping)

CLACK: More harsh than a click, but similar. Like the sound of billiard table balls striking one another.

CLUNK: A heavy thumping or bumping sound that does not reverberate and may even seem to be muted. Often comes from worn shock absorber or strut mounts when driving over a speed bump.

FLAPPING: A repetitious noise like a bird’s wings or a flag in a strong breeze. Often heard when the front lower plastic engine covers break loose.

GRINDING: The sound a pepper mill makes, although on a car it may be more metallic. The sound that brakes make when the lining is completely worn away. Often used to describe gear clash when the transmission is improperly shifted.

HISS: The sound of air or steam escaping from a small hole. Often caused by a leak in the cooling system or a punctured tire.

HOWL: A midrange noise like a strong wind.

KNOCK: The sound of someone knocking on a door. Usually used to describe a connecting rod knock in an engine that is about to fail.

MOAN or DRONE: A low-frequency tone like the sound make by blowing across the top of a large pop bottle. Often caused by worn rubber engine mounts or the exhaust system contacting the underbody.

PING: The sound of dropping marbles into a can. Usually used to describe the sound from an engine suffering from detonation or pre-ignition.

POP: A sharp, explosive sound like a cork being removed from a bottle. A small engine backfire makes a pop.

RATTLE: The sound of those marbles in that can being shaken. Often used to describe the sound of an exhaust system that is loose and lightly contacting another part of the car.

ROAR: Like the roar of a large cat or the fans at a football game. Often used to describe road noise or a large displacement engine being accelerated hard.

RUMBLE: Sort of a staccato, muffled roar. Often used to describe the sound of a car rolling over warning strips in the road such as those approaching toll booths. Also used to describe the sound of a loud, but mellow, muffler.

SCRAPING: A relatively high-pitched jeet-jeet-jeet sound. It often speeds up as the car gains speed. Commonly used to describe the sound of loose brake hardware, but also produced by the warning reed on some disc brakes.

SCREECH: A drawn out squeak. Usually used to describe the sound of tires sliding on the pavement with the brakes locked up.

SQUEAL: A shrill, high-pitched, long-lasting sound. Often used to describe defective accessory belts or some brake noises. Also the sound tires make as the car corners in movies.

TAP: Like a click, but heavier like that made by lightly striking a table top with the broad side of a ruler. Often used to describe the sound of failed hydraulic engine valve lifters or valves that are out of adjustment.

WHINE: A very high-pitched steady sound like that of a jet engine or vacuum cleaner, but not as loud. Often used to describe transmission gear noise or worn bearings in a generator.

WHISTLE: A shrill, clear, high-pitched sound. Often used to describe wind noise or a leak in a rubber door gasket.

I just wanted to share this Tesla page if you ever have doubt about sounds that you're Model 3 is making. The page has a list of what common and normal operating sounds are like.

https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-AA58ED67-9C93-4EE6-8B19-9FDABE018787.html