Why Is My Car Making a Humming Noise?
Ever been driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly you notice this low, steady humming noise coming from your car? It's kind of like a quiet growl that gets louder as you speed up. At first, you might brush it off—maybe it's the road, right? But if it keeps happening, it’s definitely worth checking out.
At Wayside Garage, we see this issue all the time. And while humming noises can be caused by a few different things, they’re often a sign that something’s starting to wear out.
Let’s break it down together.
🚘 Is a Humming Noise Something to Worry About?
Short answer: Yes—usually. Your car isn’t supposed to hum (at least not loudly). If the sound changes with your speed, gets louder when you turn, or seems to be coming from one wheel area, it’s time to get it looked at.
Ignoring it might not cause an issue right away, but if it’s something like a wheel bearing or tire problem, it will get worse—and more expensive to fix.
🔍 What Could Be Making That Humming Sound?
Here are the usual suspects:
Worn Wheel Bearings
This is the most common cause we see. Wheel bearings help your wheels spin smoothly. When they wear out, they start to hum or growl. If it gets louder when you change lanes or turn, this could be the culprit.
Tire Trouble
Uneven tire wear or alignment issues can also create a humming or droning sound. Run your hand along your tire tread—if it feels “choppy” or feathered, that could be it.
CV Joints or Axles
These connect your wheels to your transmission. If they’re going bad, you might hear a humming or clicking—especially when turning.
Transmission or Differential Issues
Not as common, but if the humming is from the back of the car or happens when accelerating, this could be it.
👂 Is It a Wheel Bearing? Here’s How You Can Tell:
We get this question a lot! Here are some signs it might be a bad wheel bearing:
The humming gets louder the faster you go
You hear a growling or grinding sound near your wheels
The noise changes when you steer left or right
Your steering feels a little loose or shaky
Still unsure? Don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for.
🔧 Why You Shouldn’t Wait
We get it—life’s busy. But the truth is, a bad wheel bearing won’t fix itself. If it fails completely, it can cause your wheel to lock up or even come loose. That’s not just dangerous—it can damage other parts of your car too.
The good news? Catching it early can save you from bigger problems later. Our team checks your bearings, tires, and suspension as part of your routine maintenance schedule—especially during your 30K, 60K, and 90K services.
✅ Let’s Take a Look Together
If your car is humming more than it used to, come see us at Wayside Garage in Seaside. Our ASE-certified techs will take a look, explain what’s going on in plain language, and only recommend what you actually need.
We believe in keeping our customers informed—not overwhelmed.
📞 Give Us a Call or Schedule Online
We’ll help you figure out what’s causing that noise and get you back on the road with peace of mind.
Family-owned. Friendly. Professional. That’s the Wayside Way.
