I own a 04 mazda 6 s automatic and lately i noticed that whenever i'm driving (just on a flat, smooth road) i hear this rattling noise coming from the engine or from the front of the car. i hear this kind of noise when i'm going up a hill but i always thought that was normal. Is it? please help thanks

 

one of the first things i do whenevr i hear any new rattle is try to isolate and locate exactly where its coming from. then make sure it's not something simple (for instance a lot of interior rattles are just things left in the car, and engine rattle can sometimes be stupid stuff, like a tool left under the hood or a clip undone, or a loose bolt). Once you have eliminated the simple things, take it in to the dealership and take the service manager/mechanic on a drive. Be sure you are able to repeat the problem. Some rattles can be simple, others can be a sign of trouble.

 

There are other things to watch for when you are hearing the rattle. Do you hear the rattle during heavy acceleration? Is the rattle more prevalent when the engine is hot or cold? Does it seems to come from one side more than the other? Could the rattle be coming from underneath the car instead of the engine compartment?