I've noticed a noise while driving in the past two weeks, it sounds like a slight screech/squeal and it doesn't happen when hitting the breaks. The other day I left work and as I was getting out of the parking lot going around 10-20 mph I heard the noise, to me it sounds like its coming from my left door but I can't even tell. Then I can also hear it coming from my dashboard area so it sounds like its coming from the engine. It doesn't happen when hitting the breaks, seems to MAYBE happen when hitting a bump. I really haven't found a reason as to why it happens. When it does it lasts for about 15 seconds then goes away. In my 45 minute commute home, it happened randomly about two times. I had my dad drive it for a day and he couldn't hear the noise or it didn't happen at all. Any ideas? I captured an audio clip of it, though its hard to hear it clearly it might help crack the case. (it wont let me upload so I can send it another way if I can figure that out.)

 

Brake pad wear indicator (also called squealer) trying to tell you it's due for front brakes?

 

Even though this happens without me touching the breaks? I've tried tapping them over and over to duplicate the squeal but it doesn't happen. Only seems to happen when the vehicle is in motion.

 

Yes



Have you checked the front brakes yet?

 

yah most likely pad indicator.

 

Or maybe a pebble stuck in a brake.

Again, someone needs to actually do some inspecting to see what has happened.

 

If not brakes can be an alternator belt (it tends to make noise when cold at idle)

 

Squeal is usually the brake pads running low or the serpentine belt being loose. See if you can isolate the location of the sound. Does it only occur when your care moves (when the wheels rotate), or does the squeal occur when you are at standstill.