Key Takeaways
- Some tire noise is normal, but a noticeable increase in humming, roaring, thumping, or other road noise can indicate a tire or vehicle problem.
- Uneven tire wear is one of the most common reasons tires become louder over time.
- Improper tire pressure, missed tire rotations, wheel alignment problems, and worn suspension components can all contribute to unusual tire wear and increased noise.
- A rhythmic thumping or vibration deserves prompt attention because it may indicate tire damage or another condition that affects safe driving.
- Not every noise that seems to come from the tires is actually caused by the tires. Wheel bearings and other vehicle components can create similar sounds.
- If your vehicle suddenly sounds different or tire noise continues getting worse, have the tires and vehicle inspected by a tire professional or certified auto technician.
Your car probably was not completely silent when its tires were new. As tires roll across pavement, their tread blocks make contact with the road and naturally produce some sound. But what if you suddenly notice that familiar road noise getting louder?
A new humming sound on the highway, a rhythmic thumping at lower speeds, or a roar that gets louder as you accelerate can be your vehicle’s way of telling you something has changed. Sometimes the explanation is relatively simple, such as normal tire wear or a change in road surface. Other times, increasing tire noise can point to uneven tread wear, improper inflation, alignment problems, or even tire damage.
Learning to recognize some common tire noises can help you decide when it is time for an inspection.
Why Do Tires Get Louder as They Wear?
Tires can become somewhat louder as they accumulate miles. A tire’s tread pattern is designed to balance traction, handling, water evacuation, comfort, and noise. As the tread wears, the shape and depth of those tread features change. The tire may interact differently with the road than it did when new, which can change the amount and type of noise you hear.
However, a significant increase in noise should not automatically be dismissed as “old tires.” The more important question is whether the tires are wearing evenly.
If parts of the tread are wearing faster than others, the tire may no longer roll smoothly against the road. Those irregularities can create humming, roaring, vibration, or other sounds that become increasingly noticeable at higher speeds.
Can Uneven Tire Wear Cause Humming or Road Noise?
Yes. Uneven tire wear is a common reason for tires to become noticeably louder. One example of abnormal tire wear is cupping, sometimes called scalloping. Instead of the tread wearing evenly around the tire, alternating sections become higher and lower. As those uneven sections repeatedly contact the pavement, they can create noticeable noise and vibration.
Other irregular tread wear patterns can also make tires louder. Uneven wear can be associated with several underlying issues, including:
- Wheel alignment problems
- Worn suspension components
- Improper tire pressure
- Wheel or tire balance issues
- Tires that have not been rotated regularly
The noise is often a symptom rather than the original problem. Simply replacing a noisy tire without identifying why it wore unevenly could allow the same pattern to develop on the replacement tire.
What Does a Humming or Roaring Tire Noise Mean?
A steady humming or roaring sound is one of the most common noises drivers notice. If the sound gradually becomes louder as vehicle speed increases, the tires are one possible source. Aggressive or uneven tread wear can change the way the tires interact with the pavement and increase road noise.
Pay attention to whether the sound has changed recently. If your vehicle has always produced a certain amount of road noise, that may simply be characteristic of the tires. If a new humming or roaring sound develops or an existing sound becomes substantially louder, an inspection can help identify the cause.
There is another important reason not to diagnose the problem by sound alone: wheel bearing problems can sometimes create humming or roaring noises that drivers mistake for tire noise.
A certified auto technician can help determine where the sound is actually coming from.
Why Is My Tire Making a Thumping Noise?
A repetitive thumping sound deserves more immediate attention, particularly if you also feel a vibration through the steering wheel, seat, or floor. A thumping tire could indicate a problem such as:
- Significant uneven tread wear
- Tire damage
- An object lodged in the tire
- A tire or wheel balance problem
- Another condition preventing the tire from rolling smoothly
The frequency of the sound may increase as you drive faster because the affected tire is rotating more quickly.
If a thumping sound appears suddenly, do not simply turn up the radio and wait to see whether it goes away. Find a safe place to stop and visually inspect the tire if possible. If you see a bulge, obvious damage, very low tire pressure, or another serious concern, avoid continuing to drive until the tire can be evaluated.
Can Low Tire Pressure Make Tires Louder?
Improper inflation can change how a tire contacts the road. When a tire is underinflated, more of the tire may flex and contact the pavement differently than intended. Over time, incorrect tire pressure can also contribute to abnormal tread wear, which may eventually increase road noise.
Overinflation can affect the tire’s contact with the road as well.
Check tire pressure regularly and use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure rather than the maximum pressure printed on the tire’s sidewall. The recommended pressure can typically be found on the tire information label inside the driver’s door area or in the owner’s manual.
If one tire repeatedly loses pressure, have it inspected for a leak rather than continually adding air.
Can Wheel Alignment Problems Make Tires Noisy?
Wheel alignment can indirectly make your tires much louder. When the wheels are not properly aligned, tires may scrub against the pavement or wear unevenly instead of rolling as intended. As that irregular wear becomes more pronounced, road noise may increase.
Other possible signs of an alignment problem include:
- Uneven tread wear
- A vehicle that pulls to one side
- A steering wheel that is off-center while driving straight
- Changes in steering or handling
By the time a tire becomes noticeably noisy from uneven wear, correcting the alignment may prevent additional damage, but it cannot restore tread that has already worn away.
That is why unusual tire noise is worth investigating rather than simply tolerating.
Why Tire Rotation Can Help Prevent Excessive Noise
Your four tires do not necessarily wear at exactly the same rate. Front and rear tires can experience different loads and forces depending on the vehicle. Regular tire rotation changes each tire’s position to help promote more even wear over time.
Skipping rotations for an extended period can allow irregular wear patterns to develop. In some cases, those patterns become increasingly noticeable as tire noise. Follow your vehicle or tire manufacturer’s recommendations for rotation intervals. Regular rotation also provides an opportunity to have the tread inspected for developing wear patterns before they become severe.
Could the Road Surface Be Making My Tires Sound Louder?
Sometimes the tires are perfectly fine and the road itself is responsible for the extra noise. Different pavement surfaces can produce dramatically different sounds inside the same vehicle. Rough concrete, grooved pavement, freshly resurfaced roads, and older asphalt can all change tire noise. Weather and seasonal conditions can also affect the sounds you notice.
One useful clue is whether the noise changes when the pavement changes. If a loud humming sound disappears when you transition from one road surface to another, the pavement may be a major contributor.
If the noise remains consistent across different surfaces and continues getting louder with speed, it deserves closer attention.
When Should You Have Noisy Tires Inspected?
A small amount of tire and road noise is unavoidable. What matters most is a change from what is normal for your vehicle.
Consider having your tires or vehicle inspected if:
- Tire noise has recently become noticeably louder
- You hear repetitive thumping
- The vehicle vibrates while driving
- One tire appears to be wearing differently from the others
- You notice cupping or another unusual tread pattern
- The vehicle pulls or handles differently
- Tire pressure repeatedly drops
- You see a bulge, cut, or other visible tire damage
If the noise appeared suddenly or is accompanied by significant vibration, handling changes, or visible tire damage, treat the situation more urgently.
Do Not Ignore a Tire That Suddenly Sounds Different
Drivers become familiar with the everyday sounds their vehicles make. That makes a new tire noise worth paying attention to.
Increasing tire noise does not automatically mean you need new tires. It may be caused by road conditions, tire pressure, uneven wear, alignment, balance, or another vehicle component. But finding the cause early can help prevent additional tire wear and identify problems that may affect safety or vehicle performance.
Start with a visual inspection and tire pressure check. If the noise continues, gets louder, or is accompanied by vibration or unusual handling, have a tire professional or certified auto technician inspect the tires and vehicle.
