Why Does My Car Sound Like an Airplane? (Idling & Accelerating)

When your vehicle encounters problems, you might notice a strange sound reminiscent of an airplane engine, particularly while driving at higher speeds or when idling. Deciphering this noise accurately can be challenging for some drivers, as it is often confused with clicking, grinding, or squealing sounds.

If your car sounds like an airplane, you may have tire-and-wheel assembly issues, eroded bearings, or exhaust system hiccups (to name a few). Sometimes, it could be due to faulty solenoids or uneven tire wear.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the most prevalent reasons why a car sounds like an airplane when accelerating or idling:

Deteriorated Wheel Bearings
Exhaust Leak
Other Transmission Problems
Incorrect or Low Tire Pressure
Worn-out Tires
Misaligned or Unbalanced Wheels
Damaged Exhaust System
Clogged Air Filter
Faulty Water Pump
Compromised Serpentine Belt
Filthy Fuel Injectors
Steering Column Issues
Installation of Aftermarket Parts

Unless you are driving a secret jet-powered vehicle, this noise might indicate a serious mechanical problem that warrants prompt attention (especially if it gets more pronounced during gear changes or acceleration).

Your car engine should never sound like an airplane revving for takeoff. The moment it does, you should immediately uncover the source of this unusual symphony.

Why Does My Car Sound Like an Airplane?

1. Deteriorated Wheel Bearings

A vehicle that sounds like a jet engine when accelerating could be brought about by the brand and type of tires the car is using. But a more likely culprit could be wheel bearing issues.

When these bearings are deteriorated or compromised, they produce a persistent hum or growl-like sound that increases in volume over time and becomes more pronounced and higher-pitched as the car gains speed.

2. Exhaust Leak

If your car sounds like a jet engine when braking or during starts and stops, chances are you have an exhaust leak. A breach in the exhaust system can amplify sounds originating from the power mill. This occurs when components like the muffler or diesel particulate filter (DPF) are compromised.

Identifying the issue early can result in relatively straightforward fixes, although the resolution hinges on the specific cause of the airplane-like sound.

3. Other Transmission Problems

Worn bearings aside, here are other transmission problems that can cause your car to sound like an airplane when idling or during acceleration:

Torque Converter Problems — If damaged or not functioning properly, this component might generate humming, whining, or droning sounds similar to an airplane.
Transmission Fluid Issues — Low or contaminated transmission fluid can lead to friction and wear within the transmission components. This, in turn, can lead to unusual noises like buzzing, whirring, or airplane-like engine sounds (although the latter occurs more infrequently than the others).
Damaged Input Shaft or Output Shaft — Problems with the transmission input or output shaft (view on Amazon) can cause vibrations and noises that might sound like an airplane. These issues can also lead to rattling, clunking, or droning sounds.
Transmission Slippage — Although more commonly associated with high-pitched whining noises, transmission slipping (where the transmission unexpectedly shifts gears or struggles to properly engage) can also make a car sound like a jet engine, particularly during acceleration.
Faulty Solenoids — Solenoid issues in the transmission can lead to odd shifting, delays, or slipping between gears. While these incidents typically result in buzzing, clicking, or humming, these sounds can be reminiscent of mechanical turbulence that some car owners may find comparable to a jet engine or an airplane taking off.
Damaged or Worn Clutch Components — In manual transmissions, worn clutch components can result in grinding or scraping noises during gear shifts, which might resemble certain airplane engine sounds.

4. Incorrect or Low Tire Pressure

Incorrect or low tire pressure can cause a humming noise similar to an airplane engine’s hum. This occurs because underinflated tires have increased rolling resistance, causing them to deform slightly as they contact the road surface.

This deformation can generate a unique noise as the vehicle moves causing the car to sound like an airplane when accelerating or maintaining a consistent speed.

5. Worn-out Tires

Worn-out tires can contribute to a car sounding like an airplane during idling and acceleration due to their altered tread patterns and reduced ability to dampen road noise.

As tires wear down, their tread becomes shallower, impacting their ability to effectively grip the road and reduce vibrations. This can lead to increased road noise being transmitted into the cabin, creating a sound similar to the rumble of an airplane engine.

During acceleration, worn-out tires may produce a distinctive hum or droning noise due to the interaction between the uneven tread and the road surface. Similarly, when idling, the reduced tread can amplify road noises, contributing to the distinct sound.

In addition to generating vibrations and airplane-like noises, dilapidated tires can cause uneven tire wear, resulting in less stable contact with the road.

6. Misaligned or Unbalanced Wheels

Unbalanced wheels can lead to vibrations in the car, especially at higher speeds. This scenario occurs when the weight distribution around the tire-and-wheel assembly is uneven, causing rotational vibrations in the vehicle. Moreover, this vibration-induced noise can be amplified when accelerating, producing a noise resembling the sound of an airplane engine.

7. Damaged Exhaust System

When discussing harm to this system, we are looking at multiple parts like the muffler, exhaust pipes, exhaust heat shield, and catalytic converter like MagnaFlow California Universal Catalytic Converter (view on Amazon) — to name a few. Essentially, these parts collaborate to minimize noise and emissions. Therefore, if any of these elements degrade, it can lead to the engine producing a sound louder than usual or mimicking a jet engine (in addition to an apparent decrease in performance).

8. Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter can make a car sound like an airplane when accelerating or idling due to its impact on the air-to-fuel ratio and engine performance. When the air filter becomes plugged, it restricts the flow of air into the power mill, which can lead to several effects that influence engine noise (as follows):

Altered Air-to-Fuel Ratio — For optimal efficiency, the engine needs the right air-fuel mix. A clogged air filter reduces airflow, disrupting the ‘mix’ and causing incomplete combustion, resulting in a hissing noise like an airplane engine during acceleration or idling.
Increased Engine Workload — While this doe not always result in airplane-like sounds, the engine working harder can alter normal operating noises. You might observe a more distinct, deeper sound resembling an airplane engine, particularly when accelerating or when the engine is under increased load.
Changes in Intake Dynamics — Clogged air filters can disrupt the airflow patterns within a vehicle’s intake system. This alteration in airflow can create turbulence and generate a unique sound, including a whooshing noise that might be mistaken for certain airplane engine sounds.
Throttle Response Impact — A blocked air filter can cause slow throttle response as the engine struggles for enough air. This can result in strange noises as the engine compensates for limited airflow. While it may not exactly replicate the sound of an airplane, it can resemble certain aspects of aircraft engine sounds.

9. Faulty Water Pump

When a water pump is damaged, its internal bearings can become worn or loose. As a result, the pump may produce a distinct high-pitched whining or grinding noise. This noise can become more noticeable when the engine is idling because there is less overall noise from the car’s movement, making these sounds more apparent.

Furthermore, if the water pump fails to circulate coolant effectively, the engine might begin to overheat. Overheating can cause the power mill to work harder, increasing fan activity and possibly louder operating noises, including a rumbling or roaring sound reminiscent of an airplane engine.

10. Compromised Serpentine Belt

Functionally, the serpentine belt connects the engine’s crankshaft to the power steering pump, alternator, and AC compressor (view on Amazon). When the belt is damaged or worn, it can create a distinct noise that resembles the sound of an airplane engine.

As the damaged belt struggles to maintain proper tension and grip on the pulleys, it may begin to slip, eventually causing a high-pitched squealing or whining sound. This noise can be particularly noticeable during acceleration or idling when the engine’s load changes.

The belt slippage can also cause accessories to function improperly or not at all, which could further exacerbate the unusual noise and the sensation of the engine operating differently.

11. Filthy Fuel Injectors

The condition of your fuel injectors is another thing that can cause your vehicle to sound like an airplane during acceleration or when idling. This is due to their impact on fuel delivery and combustion efficiency.

When these injectors become dirty or clogged, they can result in secondary factors that may or may not directly contribute to aircraft-like noises (in addition to other unusual engine sounds):

Impaired Fuel Spray Pattern leads to uneven fuel distribution in the combustion chamber, incomplete combustion, and a distinctive knocking or popping noise during acceleration or idling.
Altered Combustion cycles generate popping, sputtering, or backfiring sounds resembling certain aircraft engine noises.
Engine Misfires translate to fuel not being burned properly in one or more cylinders, resulting in distinctive knocking or tapping noises during idling or gaining driving speed.
Changes in Engine Timing lead to irregular engine sounds, including noises evoking airplane engine sounds.
Increased Engine Workload resulting from reduced fuel flow leads to changes in engine noise (often characterized as a deeper, more pronounced sound similar to an airplane’s engine)
Sluggish Throttle Response results in unusual noises as the power mill struggles to maintain proper fueling and attempts to adapt to the restricted fuel supply.

12. Steering Column Issues

The steering column is a crucial component that allows the driver to control the direction of a vehicle. When it develops problems, such as worn or damaged components, it can create vibrations and unusual noises that may resemble the sound of an airplane engine.

Mechanical vibrations from a compromised steering column resonate throughout the vehicle, generating a humming or droning noise that might become more noticeable as you reach higher speeds.

The specific sounds can vary, ranging from a low-frequency hum to a higher-pitched noise. They can sometimes even evoke the impression of an airplane’s engine noise due to their distinctive and continuous nature.

13. Installation of Aftermarket Parts

Sometimes, airplane-like sounds from a car might be linked to aftermarket parts. Although many parts are versatile (almost universal) across different automobiles, certain makes and models require precise components. Moreover, while aftermarket parts may function temporarily, they might not be the optimal fit for your vehicle in the long run.

The average car owner already knows this. Nonetheless, this detail is worth reiterating since aftermarket components change the vehicle’s dynamics.

When aftermarket suspension components are installed, for instance, they might alter the suspension geometry and ultimately affect how the wheels and tires interact with the road. Especially if the new components are not well-matched or properly aligned, they can create vibrations that generate airplane-like noises.

Additionally, specific aftermarket exhaust systems can modify the flow of exhaust gases, potentially creating a distinctive sound that resembles aircraft engines during takeoff. These changes can lead to a unique auditory experience that departs from the original vehicle’s sound characteristics. Hence, the car would sound like an airplane when accelerating.

Prevention and Diagnosis

To prevent your car from sounding like an airplane in terms of engine noise, consider these guidelines:

Perform routine vehicle maintenance.
Inspect your tires regularly.
Opt for high-quality fuel.
Maintain a clean car.
Pay attention to warning signals.
Practice smooth driving habits.
Avoid overloading your vehicle.
Select the appropriate oil viscosity for your engine.
Do not ignore unusual smells.

While the above list is non-exhaustive, it should address at least 50% of the causes outlined in this article — provided telltale signs associated with the individual triggers are caught early on. Otherwise, you may need to perform a diagnosis and repairs or replacement appropriate to the root cause you have identified.

The below details are good examples of how to go about resolving the problem source (at least for the top three causes of the airplane-like sound):

Deteriorated Wheel Bearings

Check Wheel Bearings

Inspect the wheel bearings to determine if they are worn out or if the seal is broken. They are crucial in reducing friction and supporting rotating equipment in the vehicle’s drive system. Also, dry or broken bearing balls due to degraded grease can result in a noise resembling an airplane.

Prolonged exposure to this noise without repair can lead to increased friction, heat generation, and potential damage to components like the wheel hub and engine.

Evaluate Seal Condition

Examine the condition of the seals that protect the wheel bearings. Ensure that they are in a state where they can effectively prevent water, dirt, and contaminants from entering the bearings, preserving the necessary grease for their operation.

When a wheel bearing loses lubrication, the metal of the drive will grind against the wheel axle, generating a noise that intensifies as the car accelerates. Moreover, a damaged or faulty wheel seal can lead to rapid bearing deterioration.

Exhaust Leak

Check the Exhaust System

If the sounds resembling those of an airplane persist during acceleration, inspect your exhaust system for issues, as it often indicates an exhaust leak. The intensity of the sound can offer clues as to its origin, typically traced back to a damaged exhaust duct system, a cracked exhaust, or a leaking gasket.

Locate Noise Source

To precisely identify the source of the roaring or airplane-like sound, determine where it originates in the exhaust system. Park the car on a level surface, engage the handbrake, and inspect beneath the vehicle to pinpoint the noise’s location.

If the noise comes from the front of the vehicle, it could be an exhaust leak caused by a worn-out exhaust system gasket, a loose exhaust bolt, or a cracked exhaust pipe. If arising from the center of the undercarriage, it might be due to a punctured exhaust pipe or a leak in the connection between the exhaust pipe and the catalytic converter.

In more severe cases, however, a broken catalytic converter can be the culprit, resulting in a notably loud and jarring noise.

Conclusion — Car Sounds Like an Airplane

Again, here are possible reasons why your car sounds like an airplane:

Deteriorated Wheel Bearings
Exhaust Leak
Other Transmission Problems
Incorrect or Low Tire Pressure
Worn-out Tires
Misaligned or Unbalanced Wheels
Damaged Exhaust System
Clogged Air Filter
Faulty Water Pump
Compromised Serpentine Belt
Filthy Fuel Injectors
Steering Column Issues
Installation of Aftermarket Parts

Understanding the potential reasons for this striking similarity should guide you correctly. Likewise, regular upkeep and timely inspection can help keep your vehicle’s sounds grounded in reality.

Remember, when your car unexpectedly channels its inner airplane, it is a sign that something needs your prompt attention. And with a bit of help from this guide, you should be able to narrow down the problem source in no time.

Kris Peter

Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris