Start with a safe, stationary car
Park outdoors away from moving traffic, select Park or Neutral as appropriate, and apply the parking brake. Never run an engine in an enclosed garage to make a recording. Follow the precautions in your vehicle owner manual.
Keep your phone, hands, clothing and cables away from belts, fans and hot parts. Do not place the phone inside the engine bay or underneath a running vehicle. If you cannot record from a safe position, let a technician investigate instead.
Capture the noise, not the surroundings
- Choose a quiet location. Wind, traffic, music and conversation can mask the sound you want to document.
- Keep the microphone uncovered and hold the phone steadily at a safe position outside the engine bay.
- Let the natural sound be heard without speaking over it. Record for the duration requested by the app.
- Do not rev the engine or drive while holding the phone to reproduce a concerning noise. Describe conditions you have already noticed instead.
Add the details a listener cannot hear
Sound alone does not show the engine temperature, warning lights or service history. Keep a short note with the recording so the same clip is useful when you speak to a repair shop.
| Detail | What to note |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Make, model, year, engine if known, and mileage. |
| Timing | First start of the day, warm idle, or another condition you already observed. |
| Change | New or familiar; continuous or intermittent; getting louder or staying similar. |
| Other symptoms | Warning lights, shaking, loss of power, smells or visible leaks. |
Use the recording in AI Mechanic
Open AI Mechanic on Android, select your car and use the recording control. The screen shown here is an example from the app. Review the AI-generated analysis alongside the symptoms you noted.
A report is a starting point for understanding the recording, not confirmation that a component has failed or that the vehicle is safe to drive. If the sound persists, bring your notes and recording to a qualified mechanic.