Why does the tire noise suddenly become louder with a humming sound?
3 Answers
The reason for the sudden increase in tire noise with a humming sound is: severe wear on the tread, driving on poor road conditions, or damage to the car's tires, leading to a sudden change in tire pressure. When the vehicle is in motion, tire noise is generated. The formation of tire noise is related to the severity of tread wear, road roughness, road structure, road material, tire pressure, and tire size. Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on various vehicles or machinery to roll on the ground, usually installed on metal rims. They support the vehicle body, cushion external impacts, ensure contact with the road surface, and guarantee the vehicle's driving performance.
I've encountered this issue before on the highway—a sudden increase in humming noise, and the whole car was shaking violently. It could be due to uneven tire wear or tire pressure problems. When tires are used for a long time, the tread wears unevenly, causing that humming noise when rolling, especially more noticeable at higher speeds. Incorrect tire pressure—either too high or too low—can also easily lead to such noise. If the pressure is too high, the tires become stiff, resulting in louder contact noise with the road; if the pressure is too low, the tires deform and flatten, increasing friction noise. Additionally, if the tire is punctured by a nail or has foreign objects stuck in it, similar noises can occur. It's recommended to immediately find a safe place to pull over, check the tire's exterior for bulges or damage, and then measure whether the tire pressure is at the standard level. Excessive humming noise might also indicate a wheel bearing failure—if the car makes a constant humming sound, especially when turning, you should be cautious. Don’t delay; head to a professional shop for an inspection right away—safety is no trivial matter. Regular tire rotation and balancing can also help reduce these issues.
I just helped a friend fix a similar issue last weekend. The sudden buzzing noise was quite alarming. It's most likely a tire problem, like severe tread wear or unevenness, which causes a humming sound while driving. It could also be a tire pressure issue; check if they're overinflated or underinflated—too high pressure makes tires hard and noisy, while too low increases deformation friction and sound. Additionally, inspect the wheel bearings; if a bearing is damaged, the buzzing will be continuous and grow louder with speed. When checking, I prefer to jack up the car and spin the wheels to listen for any grinding sounds. Small stones stuck in tire treads can also cause noise. For safety, if the buzzing is too loud, address it immediately—don’t ignore it, as a bearing failure could lead to wheel detachment. Regular tire checks and maintaining proper pressure can prevent this.
