One of the most common sounds that drivers may hear is the sound of a flat tire. A car tire will deflate over time, which can lead to poor gas mileage and even less control on the road if it’s not taken care of.
However, most cars don’t sound like they have a flat tire unless something is seriously wrong.
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Reasons why your car sounds like it has a flat tire, although it doesn’t:
- Low air pressure – If you have a low air pressured tire, it might be the culprit. Compare the pressure on all of your tires and see if one of them is lower than normal. If so, fill it up to the appropriate PSI.
- Worn tire – Although not as common, your tire could actually be at the end of its life span and worn out from overuse. . You can test this by checking your tread on each tire with a penny. If there’s less than 1/16 inch of tread life left on any of your tires, you’ll need to get new tires.
- Front wheels not aligned – If your car is pulling to the left or right, your front wheels aren’t properly aligned. This will cause a flat tire-like sound when you accelerate. Take your car to a mechanic to get this fixed.
Can a bad wheel bearing sound like a flat tire or humming?
Basically, a bad wheel bearing will not sound like a flat tire . A worn wheel bearing can cause the following noise: rattling, howling, popping, clicking, or humming sound. If you’re also hearing a rumbling noise when turning, then it’s likely a bad wheel bearing.
Why do my tires sound like a helicopter?
If you notice a helicopter-type noise from your tires while driving, there are many possible causes and solutions for this issue. This noise can be described as anything from a “whine” to the sound of a helicopter flying overhead or blades chopping through the air that could be heard inside of your car.
The most common cause for this noise is a condition called “Tire Balancing.”
Tire balancing is a technique used to minimize or eliminate irregular tire wear. It is a process of pairing the tire with an equal amount of weight on each side, front and back. Tire balancing prevents vibration from occurring as you drive which can be uncomfortable for your passengers and even cause damage to your vehicle over time.
If not balanced properly or if the weight is placed unevenly around your tires, you may notice a helicopter-type noise from your tires.
