We at CK Auto Exclusive are experts at all things Mercedes-Benz. We love difficult-to-diagnose Santa Rosa Mercedes issues, because it's these issues that push our craft forward. Unlike the service centers at Mercedes dealerships, we like to share our knowledge and expertise with our customers. One of the things our customers often ask us is, “What does that sound mean?” In this article we take a look at the synthetic, natural, good and bad sounds that a Mercedes engine can make.
AUTOMAKERS LOOK TO SILENCE, AMPLIFY AND CREATE SOUNDS
It's no secret that in recent years many automakers have been toggling with the perceptible sounds produced in cars.
Some set-ups boost the preexisting sound the engine makes and pipes it into the cabin of the vehicle to allow the driver to better respond to shifting and handling cues.
Other set-ups aim to completely eliminate road noise while amplifying engine noise. Technology of this type seeks to create a microcosm within the vehicle, almost like a driving version of noise cancelling headphones.
Other systems capture a vehicle's natural engine and exhaust sounds and funnel them directly into the vehicle's speaker system for amplification. Using the car's stereo system to amplify engine and exhaust sounds strikes many as inauthentic, but the automakers are simply looking to create a fun experience for the driver.
WHICH AUTOMAKERS ENHANCE VEHICLE SOUNDS?
To the best of our knowledge, Mercedes-Benz does not use the technologies described above. Here are a few automakers who do.
BMW – Active Sound Design
VW – Soundaktor
Porsche – Sound Symposer
Ford – Resonator Pipe
Let's be clear; we're not suggesting that any automaker is looking to deceive its customers. All the systems above were carefully designed to make driving more enjoyable and functional.
BESIDE AUTOMAKERS, MERCEDES MECHANICS AND CAR OWNERS, WHO'S LISTENING TO CAR SOUNDS?
It isn't just car manufacturers that are considering the inclusion and exclusion of car sounds. Lawmakers have also seriously considered this topic as it relates to pedestrian safety.
Some hybrid and full electric vehicles produce so little sound that regulators deemed them a threat to public safety. As such, laws have been enacted that require quiet-model cars to emit certain sounds, so people outside the vehicle can detect the vehicle's presence.
WHICH MERCEDES ENGINE SOUNDS SHOULD CONCERN ME?
There isn't a tried and true method for regular drivers to assess in isolation which sounds are normal and which sounds may be problematic in their Santa Rosa Benz vehicles. Instead of trying to identify which sound is coming from where and what is causing it (our job), we suggest to our customers that they develop an ear for the sounds the car makes while running properly and to raise the red flag when they hear ANYTHING different.
Any unusual rumbles, rattles and knocks should be reported to an expert Mercedes mechanic at CK Auto Exclusive immediately.
Our trained ears can detect when Mercedes service is required. More importantly, our trained ears can spot a likely need for a Mercedes engine rebuild or repair.
CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR CAR NOISE ASSESSMENT TODAY!