Driving a loud car can be excruciating, especially if you only want to listen to your engine rumble with higher revs. Besides, a loud drive may be a tell-tale sign that your car needs urgent attention. If you hear a humming noise that gets louder when you floor the pedal, it’s time to identify and fix the problem!
When the humming noise in your car is getting louder with speed, it may be due to bad tires or defective wheel bearings. To fix that, you must get new tires and replace the bad bearings. Additionally, balance the tires and ensure the brake pads and shaft bearings are in good shape.
A humming noise is a sign that your car has a serious problem. Before you hit the road on your next trip, read on for a roundup of why that’s happening and what you should do to have a safe ride.
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You Have Bad Tires
Tires are a crucial part of your car. They guide the car as you steer it and cushion you by absorbing some of the bumps and noise on the road.
As your car’s tires age, they become less effective in performing their role, posing several problems. For instance, they no longer absorb bumps and noises but vibrate more, producing a humming sound when accelerating.
However, aging isn’t the only factor that causes bad tires. Some of the reasons tires get damaged include the following:
- Hitting curbs or potholes at high speeds.
- Driving with under/overinflated tires.
- Puncture by foreign objects (such as nails).
That said, here are a few signs that you have bad tires:
- A humming noise that gets louder with speed.
- Bulges or bubbles on your tires’ sidewalls.
- Reduced traction on wet or slippery roads.
- Your tires deflate quickly.
How To Fix
If you haven’t changed or inflated your tires for a long time, it’s time to do that! Here are the steps to follow:
- Inspect your vehicle’s tires keenly, noting the signs of damage I mentioned earlier (especially bulges and quick deflation).
- Check your owner’s manual and replace damaged tires with similar size tires.
- Inflate your tires to the manufacturer-recommended pressure.
- Get regular wheel alignment and rotate tires to prolong the life of your new tires.
You Have Imbalanced Tires
Having a smooth ride requires more than just good tires! Specifically, your car’s tires must be balanced to ensure its weight is evenly distributed. That not only improves ride comfort but also ensures better tread wear.
Over time, your tires may get out of balance due to the following factors:
- Parking your car for a long time without moving it.
- Hitting curbs or potholes when driving.
- Damaged or misaligned rims.
So, how do you tell that you have imbalanced tires? Here are a few signs to watch out for:
- The steering wheel or car body vibrates when driving.
- Poor or uneven tread wear.
- Difficulty controlling your vehicle at high speeds or on winding roads.
How To Fix
Follow these steps to rebalance your tires:
- Take your car to a mechanic or tire shop. They’ll identify the tire or tires that are imbalanced in a breeze!
- Have the mechanic or tire technician adjust the weight distribution on the wheels by adding or removing weights where necessary.
- Ask the mechanic to do a wheel alignment if necessary. That will help extend your tire’s life.
Note: Fixing imbalanced tires is a delicate process that requires an experienced technician to get the job done right. Hire an expert to help if you don’t have previous experience!
You Have Bad Wheel Bearings
If you’re still experiencing a loud humming noise when speeding, I recommend inspecting the wheel bearings. These components connect your car’s axle and wheels and ensure smooth wheel rotation.
Because of that, the bearings must be in the best shape to have a safe and comfortable ride. Driving with bad bearings poses several safety risks, including the possibility of the wheels stopping while driving.
Besides a humming sound that gets louder with speed, bad bearings manifest in three ways:
- Increased humming when turning left (shows that at least one of the left bearings is damaged).
- Increased humming when turning right (at least one of the bearings on the right side is defective).
- A grinding noise when you jack up and turn the wheel with a defective bearing.
- The affected wheel is heavy to turn by hand (when jacked up).
How To Fix
The best way to fix bad wheel bearings is to replace them. After all, you wouldn’t want to compromise on safety on the highway. Here’s how to replace your car’s wheel bearings:
- Lift each wheel off the ground using a jack and secure your vehicle with a jack stand.
- Rotate the wheel by hand.
- Listen to any unusual noise and watch out for resistance. A wheel with defective bearings makes a grinding noise, resists movement, or does both.
- If the wheel has bad bearings, use a lug wrench to open the lug nuts and then remove the wheel.
- Locate the brake caliper and remove the bolts or pins that secure it in place using a socket or wrench.
- Remove the caliper carefully, ensuring you don’t damage it or the brake line. Then, remove the rotor, which may be held in place by a retaining clip or set screw.
- Use a socket or wrench to remove the hub and bearing assembly. Exercise caution to avoid damaging the ABS sensor or wiring hoses connected to the assembly.
- Remove the old bearing and install the new one by pressing it into the hub assembly. Give it a once-over to ensure it’s aligned and seated correctly.
- Apply a light coat of grease on the bearing and race. That will offer lubrication and prevent corrosion.
- Reattach the hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle and tighten the bolts to the manufacturer’s specifications using a torque wrench.
- Reconnect the ABS sensor and any wiring hoses you disconnected earlier.
- Reassemble the caliper and rotor and then reinstall the wheel before tightening the lug nuts.
- Test the new bearings to ensure the humming noise is gone.
Here’s a quick video that may come in handy if you need a quick demo of how to replace front or rear wheel bearings:
Caution: Ensure you use manufacturer-recommended wheel bearings for successful and effective replacement. And if you’re uncomfortable with this repair, I recommend calling a qualified mechanic for help.
You Have Loose Brake Pads
Loose brake pads are another potential reason you hear a humming noise that increases at higher speeds. These pads come into contact with the rotors when you slow down, providing the friction needed to stop.
With time, the pads become loose due to wear and tear, causing them to rattle when you’re braking. Besides, loose brake pads can produce a humming sound when you drive at a high speed. Because of that, you must always ensure these parts are in decent shape to avoid the inconvenience that comes with loose or defective brake pads.
Besides the humming noise, here are a few signs that you have loose brake pads:
- Rattling noise when braking.
- Reduced braking performance, especially at high speeds or steep grades. For instance, you may notice that the braking distance has increased significantly.
- Vibration in the brake pedals or steering wheel when braking.
How To Fix
To fix loose brake pads, follow these easy steps:
- Take your car to a mechanic and ask them to inspect the pads for looseness and wear.
- If the brake pads are loose, ask the mechanic to tighten them.
- If they’re worn out, replace them. Ensure the new pads are tightened adequately.
- Also, check if the rotors have been damaged by the loose pads and replace them if necessary.
Your Shaft Bearings Are Damaged
A damaged shaft bearing is another possible reason your car makes a humming noise that increases with speed. The drive shaft is a component that rotates when driving, transmitting torque from the transmission to the differential. The shaft uses bearings to ensure smooth rotation.
With time, the bearings wear out and become less effective. When that happens, you may hear grinding or humming noises when accelerating. Besides, bad shaft bearings can result in intense vibration under the vehicle, compromising comfort when driving.
How To Fix
If your shaft bearings are damaged, follow these steps to fix them:
- Take your vehicle to a mechanic and let them inspect the drive shaft and bearings.
- Replace the bearings if they’re damaged or worn out.
- Align and rebalance the drive shaft to prevent further problems (if necessary).
Tip: The best way to fix humming noises (or other car noises) that get louder with speed is to have an experienced mechanic inspect and repair your vehicle. Ensure you check previous reviews of the mechanic’s work to get the best deal.
And if you’re replacing any components, I highly recommend using manufacturer-recommended parts. That will ensure the best performance and fewer problems later.
Conclusion
If your car makes a humming noise that gets louder with speed, ensure you inspect and fix the following parts:
- Tires: They must be in good shape and balanced.
- Wheel bearings: Replace if damaged.
- Brake pads: Ensure they are tight as per the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Shaft bearings: Replace them if damaged.
Remember, some of these repairs are delicate and require previous experience to get the best results. If you’re unsure or not confident enough, call a professional mechanic for help. They’ll deliver better results and help you identify other problems you may have missed.