What Causes the Abnormal Noise After Installing Snow Tires?

[ColemanRose]

The reasons for abnormal noise after installing snow tires include severely worn brake pads, damaged shock absorbers, deformed wheel hubs, tire wear, or damaged drive shafts. Causes: The vehicle's braking force will decrease when encountering objects like nails or stones. Solutions: Promptly replace the brake pads. If the wear on the left and right drive wheels is uneven, it is generally recommended to first install new tires on the non-driven wheels for some mileage. After the four tires have worn in, perform a cross rotation. For regular use, it is best to perform a cross rotation every 20,000 kilometers, as the driven wheels are dragged along and tend to wear unevenly compared to the drive wheels. Have a repair shop inspect further. Replace the wheel hub if necessary.

[PresleyAnn]

I just changed to winter tires and started hearing rattling noises, which really gave me, a driver with 20 years of experience, a hard time. The most common causes are loose bolts or misalignment during tire installation, as winter tires don't fit as snugly as all-season tires, and the metal can deform in cold weather, causing noise. Another possibility is small stones or ice stuck in the tread, which can create a humming sound when driving. My advice? Check the tire balance first—it might be off. Also, the brake rotor could have been knocked out of alignment during the tire change, leading to strange noises. Don't cut corners when it comes to safety. Next time, go to a reputable shop and supervise the process. Have them tighten the bolts with a torque wrench and test-drive to eliminate noise, so you don't end up with sudden issues or worse, a rollover.

[Kieran]

Last winter, I was startled by strange noises right after fitting my car with snow tires. It's mostly an installation issue—as a novice, I might have missed cleaning off old tire marks thoroughly, causing uneven contact and increased friction with the new tires. Another possibility is incorrect tire pressure, either too high or too low. Snow tires have deep treads, but improper inflation can lead to constant rattling. I recommend taking the car back to the shop for a free adjustment when you have time. You could also check the treads yourself for trapped ice debris or test at low speeds to pinpoint the noise source. Don’t ignore it—loud noises not only ruin the driving mood but may also damage the chassis system over time.

[McPeyton]

In the workshop, the issue of abnormal noise when changing snow tires is frequently encountered, mainly due to careless installation such as incorrect tire size or improper wheel hub matching causing harsh suspension vibration sounds. Other times, inconsistent tire pressure or imbalance leads to severe shaking and noise during rolling, or misaligned brake components causing abnormal friction after installation. Simply put, first check the tightness of the screws using professional tools, then inspect the tire pressure and adjust it to the manufacturer's standard value, usually around 35 PSI, to eliminate the noise. If the problem persists, a professional diagnosis is needed to check if the shock absorber is damaged to prevent potential hazards.