‘Car’s noisemaker’ NYT Mini Crossword July 30 answer and hints

A “Car’s noisemaker” is quite subjective. Vehicles usually make a lot of sound, but the July 30 NYT Mini Crossword focuses on one key aspect for the clue.

The internal combustion engine is one of man’s greatest achievements as it allows millions of people to drive every day. Your “car’s noisemaker” is also one of the most important parts of the vehicle—so let’s get into it.

‘Car’s noisemaker’ five down NYT Mini Crossword solution

• Hint 1: Part of a popular chocolate manufacturer.
• Hint 2: Clowns use them.
• Hint 3: Think of a rhino.
• Hint 4: It ends with “N.”

Our stellar array of clues has concluded, so keep reading for the answer and justification for each hint.

The word “HORN” is the answer to five down.

Here in the UK, we do love to chomp on some of Thornton’s chocolate (and there are even a few stores in the USA too), and clowns take great pride in honking their horn. Additionally, a rhino is known for its giant horn, and the horn’s final letter is “N.”

Horn meaning, explained

A horn can be an audio device used to alert people to its presence—like drawing attention to the honk of a car horn, for example—a musical instrument in the wind family, or a sharp, protruding object—typically from an animal.

All answers for July 30 NYT Mini Crossword

Across

• 1A “Style, charm or attractiveness,” per a modern coinage — RIZZ
• 5A Close bud — HOMIE
• 6A Black cats and red moons, supposedly — OMENS
• 7A Make a face, say — REACT
• 8A Prefix with fat or fiction — NON

Down

• 1D Title Shakespeare role for a young DiCaprio — ROMEO
• 2D “That is to say …” — IMEAN
• 3D Chemical element found in many immune-boosting supplements — ZINC
• 4D Finely grate, as a lemon peel — ZEST
• 5D Car’s noisemaker — HORN

‘Car’s noisemaker’ NYT Crossword Mini difficulty rating

Cars in general are noisemakers. It’s easy to have suggested multiple answers for this including door and tyre. I think we can all agree Horn makes the most sense here and is a fair assumption, steering me toward a two out of five difficulty rating.

How to play other word games and crosswords like NYT Mini puzzle

The LA Times, Washington Post, Strands, and Spelling Bee is a veritable selection of other fine, daily word games featuring a mixture of crossword puzzles and a variety of different puzzle formats to freshen things up.