Why Does My Tires Make a Humming Noise? Reasons and Fixes

Anyone who drives a car has likely heard their tires generating a humming sound on the road while driving and wondered why.

This issue stems from the maintenance and condition of your vehicle’s tires. The noises similar to humming emanating from the tires may also indicate that it is time to rotate or replace the tires, depending on their condition.

Numerous reasons, including worn-out tires, a problem with the brakes or weight distribution, broken wheel bearings and unintended contact with the curb, and the quantity of air being compressed into the treads, might contribute to the “why does my tires make a humming noise?” issue.

Reasons for the Humming Noise Coming from Tires

1. Tread Patterns

Different tires have distinct tread patterns and they make different amounts of noise. Because of their deeper tread pattern, heavy-duty towing and off-road tires, for example, create more noise than standard tires. If the humming is caused by the tread pattern, it is not an alarming sign. However, if the sound becomes louder over time or appears out of nowhere, it is possible that there is an issue with the tires or the wheels.

2. Tire Wear

When the contact between the road and tires is uneven, it might cause a humming noise. Because of the imbalance, tires with unequal tread depths might be loud when driving. Unusual tire wear, such as cupping, might be caused by an alignment flaw or suspension issues. This causes noise because the tread surface is not smooth; the purpose of the treads is to decrease or eliminate friction between the tire and the road surface, and when the surface is not smooth, more friction is created. The issue may be rectified by changing the tires, and an appropriate alignment and suspension adjustment can keep the problem from recurring.

3. Tire Rotation

Tire rotation is a common and frequent cause of humming. The issue might be entrenched in the driving terrain, causing a variation between the tires. This is especially true while driving on a rough surface or terrain. If the force on the tire is not stimulated gradually, it will be unable to cope with the uneven surface, causing the automobile tires to generate a humming-like noise.

4. Imbalanced Tires

The balancing of tires can have a big impact on a car and it can go smoothly if its weight has been distributed equally. An imbalance can not only produce sounds but can also affect the engine.

 Driving with unequal weight distribution can damage the axle and produce annoying sounds.

5. Wheel Bearing
   

A humming sound might also be caused by a wheel bearing problem. The wheel bearing is what links the wheels to the axle. Forces are applied to the axle and then transmitted to the wheels. Thus, the wheel bearing system is made up of rings of metal spheres that are responsible for removing friction from the system. If any of the metal spheres fails, the wheel bearing’s operation will be disrupted. This will cause the car to vibrate and make a loud noise when driving. Similarly, putting too much weight in the vehicle puts much strain and tension on the axle. The axle will also make a noise because it cannot transmit power while under strain.

How can the Humming noises be fixed?

1. Take it to a mechanic or garage
   

It is best to never disregard any signs or noises that come from your car. Whenever you suspect anything is wrong, attempt to analyze the issue and take the automobile to a workshop or technician for a complete inspection. It is recommended that you visit your auto servicing at least once every six months to verify that the vehicle is in excellent working order. The longer you ignore an issue, the worse it will get.

2. Replace the Tires
   

If the noise persists after you have tried everything, it is advisable to replace the old tires. You may do it yourself by utilizing the spare tires, or you can get the tires changed at your garage.

3. Rotate the Tires

Rotating the wheels usually eliminates the noise. It is a temporary fix, but it solves the issue. If the condition of the tires is critical, a total replacement is necessary. In fixed intervals, the tires need to be rotated. It is not only an effective but also a cost-efficient method of protecting the vehicle from making noise.

4. Change the Bearings
   

Changing the wheel bearings may also help to eliminate the buzzing sound. It is not as essential as getting a wheel changed since the car may still operate for a limited period with damaged wheel bearings. However, always seek expert assistance for this.

Importance of Tire Health

Tires are an essential component of every vehicle. It is for this reason that we must pay extra attention to their upkeep and care. This is the only part of the vehicle that makes direct contact with the road surface and the condition of your tires is critical to your road safety. However, this is often ignored by drivers during routine car maintenance and servicing. It’s just as crucial as having an oil change or checking the water level in the radiator.

Tire experts normally suggest doing a check on all tires at least once a month to determine their condition of the tires. Check for any cuts, nails, or other sharp items that may have punctured the tires, as well as any bulges or tears.

Tires of various sizes on the same axle, as well as those that are below the acceptable wear limit, may degrade despite your care. The condition inevitably deteriorates, but proper maintenance may extend the life of the tires and maintain them in excellent shape, lowering the hazards on the road.

Factors Affecting the Performance of the Tires

1. Tire Pressure

The right amount of air pressure in the tires is the main thing the driver should make sure of for optimum performance. How much that should depend on the type and size of the tires being used. Usually, this information is provided in the vehicle’s manual. 

The correct amount of air is vital for:

Safety -As overinflated or underinflated tires may cause poor handling of the vehicle and can result in an accident.

Tire Life– The incorrect amount of air in a tire can damage it much faster, making it not only dangerous but also heavy on the pocket.

Fuel Economy– The tire pressure affects the vehicle’s fuel consumption. A vehicle with underinflated tires will consume more fuel due to increased rolling resistance.

Different factors affect the air pressure of tires, and weather plays an important role in that. A tire usually loses air at a rate of almost up to 2 pounds per month. Particularly in the hot summer weather, the air escapes from the tires at a much faster rate. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a regular check on that.

2. Tire Tread Wear

The recommended tread wear limit for cars is about 1.6mm. Usually, in a new tire, the tread pattern is 8mm and it has a higher ability to scatter water. As the tire wears out its ability to disperse water minimizes. It is recommended to replace the tires that have reached the tread wear limit. The tread wear indicators are indicated on the grooves of the tires and are usually 4 in number around the tire.

3. Wheel Alignment

Proper wheel alignment is also critical for tire performance. It not only impacts their performance but also the tire’s lifespan. If you find that your automobile is pulling more to the left or right side of the road instead of a straight line, this indicates a problem with the wheel alignment. If the issue is not resolved, it will result in uneven and significantly quicker tire wear. In most cases, poor alignment is caused by speeding through a pothole, driving against the pavement, suspension deterioration, or excessive steering. The problem may be rectified by modifying the vehicle’s suspension and steering components. Having the proper alignment implies that your tire mileage will improve by up to 30%. It ensures the vehicle’s stability at higher speeds and makes it simpler to manage. 

4. Wheel Balancing

A tire’s life may be significantly extended by wheel balancing. If you feel any form of vibration on the steering wheel, it might be because of an imbalance of the wheels, which could result in lifting the tire off the road. If this happens, the vehicle could potentially lose traction. Because of this vibration, the steering suspension may be subjected to high-pressure stress, which may lead to excessive mechanical wear as well as an increase in fuel consumption. In addition to that, it causes tire wear.

It is in your best interest to consult the technician about having the tires rebalanced. After you have replaced your tires or had a puncture fixed, you should always make sure to remember to have your wheels balanced.

5. Over Speeding and Overloading

Another thing that is hazardous for your tires is overspeeding. This causes the tire to wear out more quickly and also increases the risk that it could explode. In a similar manner, overloading a vehicle may hasten the wear and tear on its tires.

Average Life of Tires

The length of time a set of tires will last relies not only on how well they are maintained but also on the quality of the rubber that is used and the surface of the roads that they are driven on. If we are talking about mileage, then a mileage of around 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year may suggest that the tires will last for three to four years. If the mileage is lower, perhaps between 5,000 and 6,000 miles per year, the tires will be able to survive far longer. Therefore, it is highly dependent on the manner in which tires are used.

Conclusion

The condition of the vehicle’s tires is the most important factor to consider while determining “why does my tires make a humming noise?” It is essential to maintain the tires and do a monthly visual inspection so that any obvious issues may be addressed without delay. The condition of the tires is connected not only to smoothing driving but also to our own personal safety. Never disregard any strange noises coming from your car.

We hope that this article has helped you in knowing the cause behind the issue and how you can fix it. However, if you have any questions related to the health of your car’s tires, you can surely write to us and we would love to help you out.