Tony Verdon: Challenge to shake off rattles and squeaks

Photo / Ted Baghurst.

Opinion

The mystery rattle drives millions of motorists mad, and among them is Driven reader David Wolters.

He enjoys reading car reviews in Driven, and not because he is searching for a new car. Rather he likes reading about motoring innovations and cheering for his favourite manufacturers when they win praise for new offerings.

"But, like many drivers, it is not the brake horsepower or acceleration figures that most impress me in a car - it is the build quality."

• For more car news go to nzherald.co.nz/driven

Rattles and squeaks annoy him. He has test-driven newish cars that have already developed dashboard squeaks and rattles, putting him off a brand forever.

"Is there some sort of survey that indicates a 'squeak quotient' or 'rattle meter' for various makes and models?

"And if not, how about developing one?"

It's a fair challenge for the motor industry, which admittedly now produces far fewer rattles than boneshakers from past decades. New cars are now assembled by robots, most have far more refined driving characteristics and sophisticated electronic systems. By any measure most of today's new models are well produced, tight to drive and hold together well.

Rattles may be fewer than in the past, but are unlikely to be entirely eliminated.
There has been progress towards this goal though - a "revolutionary car tool" called the RattleBuster appeared a decade ago.

The $20 (plus postage and packaging) device promised to pinpoint infuriating car rattles, vibrations and buzzes. The CD had five digital Power-Tones, each mimicking a different type of road vibration. The driver had to move around the vehicle listening for and pin-pointing the rattle.

The RattleBuster never became a household must-have, and has disappeared, suggesting most of us can live with the odd rattle.

Follow Driven on Facebook and Twitter for the latest road tests and motoring news.• Read more