# Car Problem - What could this sound be?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-what-could-this-sound-be/243762>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 6, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-what-could-this-sound-be/243762 "2004-05-06T02:44:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-what-could-this-sound-be/243762/1 "2004-05-06T02:44:44Z")

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I have a 95 Nissan Maxima (Front-wheel drive, Automatic) and it makes this humming sound as I increase in speed. The pitch of the sound seems to go higher the faster I go. It sounds like the sound is coming from the rear.

Any ideas??

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**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-what-could-this-sound-be/243762/2 "2004-05-06T03:16:24Z")

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With the limited information provided, my best guess would be cupped tires. Uneven tire wear (or cupping) occurs when either the tires have not been rotated or there are alignment problems.

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**Author:** ![Craneop2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Craneop2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craneop2)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-what-could-this-sound-be/243762/3 "2004-05-06T08:02:01Z")

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After checking the tires, I’d look at the bearings and seals on the rear wheels. Then I would check the CV joints on the front wheels. Could be your ears are decieving you as to the location of the sound.

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**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-what-could-this-sound-be/243762/4 "2004-05-06T14:52:34Z")

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Yeah, I don’t think it’s the tires so I will check the other things you listed. Thanks.