# Car Noise, need opinions. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 12, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253 "2005-09-12T15:22:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/1 "2005-09-12T15:22:44Z")
We have a 2003 Kia Rio RX-V (Cinco for you Americans). It has 80,000 km on it. It has 4 newish tires. 2 were purchased in the spring, 1 in June and 1 in July after flat tires. In the past week I’ve noticed a lot of road noise. It started off quietly, but now, at between 40-60 km/hr it is really bad. At 110 km it is deafening!! It doesn’t get worse or diminish when braking. Aside from tire problems, is there anything else that could cause the loud humming I’m hearing? I’m assuming that it is road noise/tires. Thanks, Krista ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/2 "2005-09-12T15:37:38Z")
A worn wheel bearing can produce a humming sound. Usually it’s mitigated by braking, but I wouldn’t rule it out. Should be easy to test for if it’s loud. That said, a faulty tire is a definite possibility. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/3 "2005-09-12T15:43:59Z")
**Gary** Wheel bearing was my first guess. Luckily I’m still under warranty on the car (and the tires) so I guess I’ll be taking it in to the dealership at lunch. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/4 "2005-09-12T16:23:34Z")
Alignment/balance is another problem. New tires will be quiet but as they wear unevenly, the noise will increase. Is it coming from one or both sides of the car? Front or rear? ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/5 "2005-09-12T16:26:28Z")
It seems to be coming from the passenger side rear area. I don’t think it’s an alignment issue. If it was a balancing issue, wouldn’t there be a shimmy or vibration? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/6 "2005-09-12T16:32:32Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > A worn wheel bearing can produce a humming sound. Usually it’s mitigated by braking, but I wouldn’t rule it out. Should be easy to test for if it’s loud. That said, a faulty tire is a definite possibility. On an 03? I hope it isn’t the wheel bearing - they can be a bugger to fix. But if you are under warrantee I wouldn’t worry too much. Bring it down to the dealership and they should be able to give you a loaner whist it’s being repaired… ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/7 "2005-09-12T16:35:48Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > On an 03? It’s not unheard of for a wheel bearing to fail at 50,000 miles. And it’s a Kia. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/8 "2005-09-12T16:36:10Z")
We have this problem on our Trans Am. It uses higher performance tires, which, in my opinion, make more racket than our little Ranger and it’s cheapo tires. I think it’s the tread. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/9 "2005-09-12T16:45:39Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > On an 03? > > I hope it isn’t the wheel bearing - they can be a bugger to fix. But if you are under warrantee I wouldn’t worry too much. Bring it down to the dealership and they should be able to give you a loaner whist it’s being repaired… Loaner?! BAHHAHAAA!! Oh, sorry, you were serious. heh They don’t do loaners here in the city. Unless the repair is going to take 3 days, I get shuttled to work, and they pick me up at 5:00. After 3 days, then you get a loaner. We’ve been fortunate with our car. Nothing major so far. It’s been a great little car. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-noise-need-opinions/321253/10 "2005-09-12T17:39:12Z")
The verdict is in. It’s one, or both, rear wheel bearings. Replacing under warranty next Monday. Thanks for the input.