To kick things off, we're not talking about the noise that comes with peeling out, doing a burnout, drifting or taking a corner aggressively enough to cause your tires to chirp. (Though we do admit, those are some of the more fun reasons your tires might make noise.)
Typically, you'll notice tire noise most at high speeds (like cruising speeds on the freeway or while accelerating). If you think you're detecting noise, the cause has likely been there for quite some time. There are many reasons why you might be hearing some serious tire noise and we break them down here.
Unbalanced Tires
Problem: When your tires are unbalanced, not only can they make for a loud and uncomfortable ride, but driving on them can lead to premature tire wear and even tire failure.
Solution: Having your tires rebalanced is a surefire way to reduce the amount of noise from vibration that can be associated with tire noise overall.
Tires That Need Rotating
Problem: When your tires need to be rotated, your vehicle’s ride can feel as though it’s become somehow rougher over time. Neglecting to rotate your tires can cause uneven tread wear and reduced handling ability, as the tires that are on the axle powered by your vehicle’s drivetrain may wear more quickly.
Solution: Have your tires rotated every 6,000 -8,000 miles! If you notice any irregular treadwear before that time, feel free to bring them in for rotation even sooner! America's Tire offers free rotations on any tires purchased in-store or online.
Not only will regular rotations help prolong the longevity and performance of your tires, but they’ll also make for safer and more reliable travel when driving in extreme conditions, not to mention making your ride more comfortable and quiet.
Off-Road and Performance Tires
Problem: Off-road tires and snow tires are noisy on bare pavement. Performance tires can be noisy on bare pavement. Notice a recurring theme here? It’s because the rubber compound in these tires is different from your run-of-the-mill passenger or highway tire.
Off-road tires are particularly noisy on the highway because of how much air passes through the aggressive tread patterns that make them so excellent for off-road use. You may have even noticed this effect when a lifted pickup with massive off-road tires passes you on the freeway.
Similar tread patterns are also used in winter and snow tires, along with stiffer sidewalls to cope with extremely cold temperatures. While modern winter tire technology has advanced quite a bit and made their ride far more comfortable than it used to be, you may still notice a slightly noisier ride than in your standard passenger or all-season tire.
Since high-performance tires often have the shortest sidewall and widest section width possible, they don’t do a great job absorbing and canceling out road bumps or noise. That can make for a pretty jarring driving experience when you're not running laps at the track.
Solution: If you know you’re not going to be off-roading, driving in the snow or on the track anytime soon, there are a few reasons to invest in a set of separate tires for your commute outside of the extreme conditions you might want a specialized tire for.
To make matters easier, it might be worth looking at a separate set of wheels as well. Whether you’re going for a camping trip or a track day, or the groundhog finally declares the end of winter, a separate set of wheels/tires makes your tire changeover an absolute cinch!
Additionally, having a second set of passenger, all-season or even summer tires on hand to swap over will prolong the life of your specialty tires, while offering lower tire and road noise, increased ride comfort and better overall fuel economy.
Uneven Treadwear
Problem: Whether it’s caused by imbalance, lack of rotations or underlying suspension or alignment issues, uneven treadwear can cause your tires to make some serious noise. Not only that, it can lead to reduced performance and tire failure.
Solution: Because there are several potential causes of irregular treadwear, it’s a good idea to bring your tires in for a safety inspection. If a simple rotation can help resolve the issue, you’re in luck.
That said, some treadwear issues are severe enough that they may simply require tire replacement. Whether you want to replace all four tires at the same time or just go with an even pair, we’ve got you covered with our unbeatable low prices on our entire inventory of tires.
Uneven or Low Tire Pressure
Problem: In addition to uneven treadwear, driving on tires with uneven tire pressure – whether too low or too high in one or more tires – can lead to subtle tire noise while driving. Learn more about proper tire inflation and how it impacts treadwear.
Solution: Inflate or deflate your tires according to the correct PSI indicated in your vehicle’s door jamb information sticker or its owner’s manual. If you need any help checking your air pressure, stop by your local America's Tire location for a free air check.
Debris in Tires
Problem: It might seem like a no-brainer, but debris getting stuck in the tread of your tires is somewhat common. From gravel and rocks, ice, chunks of dirt and fresh asphalt to twigs or even (sadly) nails, there’s a laundry list of debris that can get stuck in your tires and cause noise while you’re driving.
And believe us when we say our techs have seen it all.
Solution: You might be able to use a pen or a stick to get anything out that’s jammed in the tread. But if you're worried that a nail or other piece of debris is puncturing your tires, it’s better to bring it to your nearest store. If the debris isn't easily removed, it may have punched through the inner liner, which can cause a leak.
And for the record, you should always leave the object in your tire instead of removing it, as it’s effectively plugging the hole that removing it would leave behind.
From there, visit your nearest America's Tire location so our tire professionals can inspect the damage.
No matter what’s causing your tire to make noise, don’t let it wait long enough for it to cause you a headache! Stop in or call your local store right away.
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