A Guide to Five Car Sounds That Scream Trouble
Your car is a freedom outlet, a commuting partner, and an investment all wrapped into one. Chances are you’ve grown so attached to it that you’ve named it and perhaps even considered it a close friend. Well, much like your flesh-and-blood friends, you cringe when you hear your car wincing in pain or distress. While rubbing the dash and saying “easy, girl” sometimes works, certain sounds are signs of bigger problems. Keep an ear out for these car noises that scream trouble.
Grinding While Braking
If you hit the brakes and it sounds like you’re dragging a shovel along a piece of sheet metal, it’s a sign that you’re in dire need of some brake work. Most often, this means you need new brake shoes or brake pads, but other times, it can become so drastic that you might actually ruin the brake rotor or caliper. If you notice this sound, it’s best to visit a professional mechanic before you cause even more expensive repairs.
Rattling Wheels
When your wheels make rattling noises, and you notice your car driving bumpily down the road, chances are there’s something awry with how your wheels are attached to the vehicle. Many times this occurs when the lug nuts aren’t tightened, which allows the wheel to move at different angles. While this may be the result of an auto shop forgetting to tighten the nuts, there are also reports of miscreants doing it just for a kick. Either way, if your car sounds like coins or metal in a dryer, pull over and check your lug nuts immediately.
Built in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the oldest and most legendary sports venues in the world. Home to the Big Machine Vodka 400 and the Indy 500, the venue seats up to 257,000 fans, and up to 400,000 people with infield seating, making it the largest sports stadium on Earth. For racing fans, there’s no better vacation than a visit to this iconic racetrack. If you’re planning a trip to the speedway, this guide will help you create an itinerary that gives you the ultimate experience.
Race Day
The most exciting time to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is on race day. Throughout the year, the racetrack plays host to several high-profile, big-ticket events. Over the second weekend of September, the speedway hosts the Big Machine Vodka 400, formerly known as the Brickyard 400. This pivotal race matches the best drivers from the NASCAR circuit in a battle for vital NASCAR Cup Series points.
While the Big Machine Vodka 400 is worth the trip, nothing beats the history, excitement, and speed of the Indianapolis 500. Started in 1911, this Indy Car race is the longest-running race in the country. Every Memorial Day weekend, it pits 33 racers in a 500-mile, 200-lap sprint around the track, often resulting in some of the best drama in professional sports. The pre-race ceremonies, post-race events, and the celebratory milk chug just add to the experience. Book your tickets in advance, as this race is the most popular event in the country.
With depreciation rates and prices on the rise, it can be tough trying to find a good deal on a new car. If your budget is better suited for something a little less than new, a pre-owned vehicle might be what you need. They’re less expensive and sometimes run just as nice as a brand-new model. Here are four benefits to going the pre-owned route.
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A Used Vehicle Won’t Depreciate as Fast
Despite a new car’s flawless state, signing off on the paperwork and earning your title as the owner is already enough to devalue it some. Its resale value could plummet up to 40 percent or more in the first year alone and up to thousands of dollars in the following two to three years. While you won’t avoid depreciation with a used vehicle, you won’t get that big initial hit like the first owner does, nor will your car depreciate as fast.
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You Can Avoid Paying Unnecessary Fees
Most new cars come with a state sales tax that could peak at thousands of dollars, and that’s on top of the initial sale price of the car. The same goes for registration fees, which are usually high during the first three to five years of ownership. However, buying a pre-owned vehicle could omit the sales tax and reduce how much you pay for registration fees. Plus, your insurance premium for a used car will likely be less than what you’d pay for a new car.
With warm weather on the rise, what better way to cool off than with a visit to a top Indianapolis swimming pool. With both indoor and outdoor facilities catering to residents, going for a swim doesn’t have to be limited to summer. Here are four of the coolest Indy pools we think you’ll love.
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The Riviera Club Swimming Pools
This massive recreational hotspot is home to 27 acres of indoor and outdoor facilities, including six swimming pools. Two are located indoors, with one being heated and another reserved for juniors. Four are located outdoors, with the main outdoor pool holding the title of Largest in the U.S. The latter also features 15 lanes — with distances ranging from 25 yards to 50 meters — along with slides and a diving tank. Other outdoor pools include a diving pool with three diving boards, a junior pool, and a deep wading pool.
The Riviera Club also offers swimming lessons for kids and adults who want to channel their inner Olympian. In fact, the facility served as the training site for a handful of Olympic gold medalists between 1924 and 2004.
Toddlers are curious and love exploring their surroundings and finding new ways to occupy their time. And while feeling adventurous is perfectly fine at home, the car doesn’t leave much room for messing around, especially when it comes to being safe. As you take the reins behind the wheel, keep in mind the following lessons designed to teach your toddlers about proper car etiquette.
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Distractions Are a Big No-No
The last thing you want is to see and hear your kids picking at each other in the backseat or throwing temper tantrums. Both are definite ways to distract you while driving and could cause you to lose focus.
Teach your toddler the proper way to call out to you, sans the screaming and yelling. Sudden loud sounds could put your heart and head into panic mode and distract you enough to drift out of your lane. If your toddlers are acting out, pull over to a shoulder and help resolve the issue before getting back on the road.
Spending summer outdoors gives Indianapolis residents a ticket to some of the coolest community events this time of year. But what exactly is there to look forward to in Indy this summer? Festivals, fairs, and conventions — that’s what! Here are four upcoming events you don’t want to miss.
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National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series
The National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series is an event to unite movie lovers everywhere. Held from July 26-29 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields amphitheater, guests will be rewarded with screenings of Oscar-nominated shorts the whole family can enjoy.
Tickets are $12, though members save $4 on admission, and children ages 5 and under enter for free. Be sure to order your tickets in advance to secure a spot! Food and beverages can be purchased on site, and all films start around 9:30 p.m. However, to get first dibs on the best seats in the house, early birds are welcome to arrive when the doors open at 7 p.m.
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