Unchanging hollow nosie while driving

Tiny
NESEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
Replaced the tires per the Honda dealerships recommendations about 1.5 years ago. I drive down a highway mostly to work and starting out, by the time I reach 45 MPH or so, a tonal sound begins. It doesn't change with my speed or turning though the volume may slightly change on various road material. Generally, I can still hear it down to like 15 MPH and stops when I stop. Is it the tires? I have had them rotated.
Thanks for any help.

Edit - A couple other things about the sound. I noticed after leaving work and it was really downpouring that the sound remained unchanged. Also, when braking, the sound remains unchanged. Also while listening the sound I shifted into Sport mode, but the sound remained unchanged.

Summary -
* Tonal sound from under car starts around 40mph (Sometimes earlier like in the rain).
* Once started remains unchanged until I reach destination.
* Frequency /pitch is not changed by weather conditions, braking, speed, or turning.
* Volume may change depending on road material (rarely).
* Have had car tires rotated recently.
Saturday, June 18th, 2022 AT 7:47 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
The give away with this is if the noise changes based on road construction. Basically, if the road is rough or smooth, the only thing that is going to know this based on what this is doing are the tires.

Is there a chance you can get a recording of the noise as tires do have a distinct noise so that would help with this?

However, we will need to start with inspecting for wear. Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

Also, I am attaching a chart below that will help with checking them.

However, any time the road surface changes a noise, we have to start with tires.

If this were a dealership, I would suggest they find another vehicle that does not have this noise and swap the tires and wheels off of it which would confirm it is a tire noise.

Clearly that is not possible unless you know someone with another Civic and they would be willing to swap tires/wheels with you to test this.

Otherwise, you would need to buy new tires to confirm this and that is not always the best think in case we are wrong. So, if you can get a recording at least that would give us a little more info and confidence that this is the issue.
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Sunday, June 19th, 2022 AT 8:07 AM
Tiny
NESEN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dAfRBaY1qecGOPENaSnXPqw0DFidhuWN/view?usp=drivesdk

Hopefully that works.
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Sunday, June 19th, 2022 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
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Thanks. I am going to need access so I will request it through the link.

Thanks
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Sunday, June 19th, 2022 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Thanks for access. I assume that you are driving on a road with joints or at least imperfections which was the non-rhythmic thumps but the overall hum that you are hearing is a tire noise.

Clearly, I am not riding in the vehicle but based on everything I am seeing; I would be doing what I can to eliminate tires as the likely cause.

So, ask around your friends and see if any of them have a Civic as it is a common car so maybe you can find one that would be willing to help out.

The lug pattern was pretty much unchanged so most any year will work.

Otherwise, you would have to change the tires. The last thing I would try is going to the tire store that you either bought the tires from or the manufacture of the tire and see if they have any types of warranty on them.

So, if they are Goodyear, you can just go to any Goodyear store.
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Sunday, June 19th, 2022 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
NESEN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, sounds good. I'll also do the inspection. Thanks a lot. Oh, and yes, that part of the road is making the thumps.
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Sunday, June 19th, 2022 AT 1:56 PM
Tiny
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  • 18,907 POSTS
Thanks for the update on that road noise. Please let us know what happens with this.

I just hope you are able to find something definitive before you replace the tires.

However, if you find no wear or anything that definitively condemns the tires, there is not any issue in letting it go and deal with the noise at least until you are closer to needing tires.

Even though I am confident that this is a tire issue, I just would not want to see you replace the tires and it still does it.

This is one of those issues that it is very hard to tell you definitively via the internet.
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Sunday, June 19th, 2022 AT 6:03 PM

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