While driving to work the last few days, I've noticed a humming in my tires at highway speeds. In the past, this meant the treads were bad and new tires or a rotation fixed the humming. Well, this time I have new tires on the front (approx. 5 months old) with good treads. I had new rotors/pads installed less than 2 months ago but this humming just started recently. After inspecting the tires by running my fingers across the inside edge, I didn't find the tell-tale flat spots. They seem normal. From kneeling beside each tire, I couldn't see any signs of anything rubbing. One thing I noticed while driving on the highway, the humming stops when I turn the steering wheel slightly to the right but then starts again when I straighten it up. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Cupping can cause a sort of "humming" noise. Some tire wear problems are hard to see until they become prominent. Out of curiosity, what kind of tires do you have?

ah shoot! I figured I would get that question sometime or another. I really don't know off the top of my head. They're not very old at all and still have a lot of tread on them. The humming seems to be coming from the front passenger side tire and not both tires but I realize sounds are hard to pinpoint sometimes.

The amount of tread left can be deceiving. Even if that tire is cupping in the least little bit it can make some noise. Especially if you have a harder compound on (tires that last longer)

I'm not doubting you, I'm just asking if it could be the cause of the hum even when turning the wheel slightly to the right while driving makes the humming stop or should I be looking at something else as well. I'll get the specs off the tires as soon as I can. Thanks!

My car makes the same noise but doesn't change pitch and is on the other side. I had mine checked out and a mechanic said that if it changed pitch when turning wheel like going through s turn. Then the wheel bearing is probly going bad. Wasn't the case on mine but maybe yours. Mine is the convertor jsut hums for some reason it works fine is almost new.

It could be a lot of things, it could be the tires or it could be a wheel bearing or it could even be your brakes calipers sticking a bit. Probably 7 times out of 10 when there is road noise like a "humming" or a "whirring" its the tires. When you turn the wheel slightly it puts pressure on a different part of the tire, and therfor can either increase or decrease noise. Have you tried rotaing your tires?

Im not trying to say this is your problem, I am just trying to look at the simple stuff before other parts are suspected. Rotate your tires, maybe get them balanced and see what happens.

aambrose.
just a question. were your new rotors drilled?

i have no idea. this humming started about a 1+ weeks ago. rotors were replaced 12/30/2002. humming increasingly got worse each day. hums at low speeds while driving in town too.

I took my car in to have it checked out by a local shop. They put it up on a lift and moved the wheels then put it in gear and listened. The front passenger wheel was making a noise but not constant. The mechanic said more than likely the bearing is bad. They called around for parts at several places and said wheel bearings were a dealer item. Hub assembly from }( is $183.12 + tax! I'm going to pick up the part today and have the local shop install it. Any thoughts? Thanks for all the input.