What's wrong with my car?

Need a little more info. It could just be your fan belt.

My guess is a loose belt.

Belt slipping or could be a faulty power steering unit. take your auto to Autozone and they will check it free for you.

Sounds like a serpentine belt that needs retensioning or replacement.

Whereabouts is the sound coming from?

How much will it cost if it is a loose belt?

It’s a Hyundai.

If it’s a high pitch squeal it’s definitely a belt. If it’s not so high pitch and a whiny type of squeal it’s power steering.

“How much will it cost if it is a loose belt?” @stemnyjones if you replace the belt yourself $20.00? A shop will be quite a bit more.

I agree it sounds like a belt. I just had mine (serpentine belt) replaced two weeks ago. Jiffy Lube did it in 20 minutes for $70. My normal mechanic said it would have taken him longer because he doesn’t do them all that often, and that the price was right.

@stemnyjones I have a 2003 Hyundai Elantra (which I love) which also has the same problem. Research shows that this is a common problem with Elantras. It is a slipping belt (sorry, don’t remember exactly which) and it is not very expensive to tighten or replace. I have had the belt is tightened or replaced several times because it is good for maybe 6–9 months, then has to be tightened again.

@stemnyjones If this is happening when you first start your engine and for few minutes after especially when accelerating it is no doubt the belt. But if it’s a constant squeal it could be a sign of something more, like the water pump going out.

@Mavericksjustdoinganotherflyby There’s usually a chatter along with the squeal when a water pump has gone bad. Well, in my experience there always had been.

Thanks, everyone.

@Axemusica True that yo. That would be the bearings.