Act as an experienced auto mechanic who explains things clearly to people who know nothing about cars. My car is making a strange noise and I want to understand the likely cause before I take it to a shop. Car details: - Make, model, year and mileage: make_model_year_mileage - What the noise sounds like (squeal, click, grinding, hum, clunk, whistle): noise_type - Where it seems to come from (front, rear, a wheel, engine, underneath): location - When it happens (braking, turning the wheel, going over bumps, accelerating, at highway speed, cold engine): when - How long it has been going on and whether it is getting worse: duration - Other signs (vibration, smell, dashboard light, car pulling to one side): other_signs Follow these steps: 1) List 3 to 5 likely causes, from most to least likely, explaining in plain language why each one matches my description. 2) For each cause, give an urgency level: can wait until the next service, get it checked this week, or stop driving now. 3) Suggest simple, safe checks I can do myself to tell the causes apart (for example, listening with the windows down or repeating the situation on an empty street). 4) Name the parts usually involved and a rough range for parts and labor, noting that prices vary by region and shop. 5) Write a 3-sentence description of the problem I can give the mechanic, to avoid a wrong diagnosis and unnecessary part swaps. End with the warning signs that mean a safety risk (brakes, steering, suspension) and when to call a tow truck instead of driving. Make clear this is guidance and does not replace an in-person inspection.