Many cars with durable and loud engines might feel perfect at first sight. However, we love the quietness that comes while driving. Perhaps you have asked yourself, “why is my car making a humming noise at 40 mph?” If you have, then you aren’t alone.
Any unusual noise coming from your car can be annoying. When a car starts making a humming noise at 40 mph, at times this could be a sign that your car has an issue with some parts. Also, some probable causes might be the bearing and transmission axis, which could be worn out.
This article will discuss all possible symptoms, causes, and necessary solutions to the humming noise from the car.
Possible cause of why the car is making humming noise at 40mph?
To find an ideal solution to these issues, people need to understand the signs and reasons why the car is behaving like that:
Loose wheel bearings
When the loud humming noise becomes unbearable as you drive, it could be that your vehicle wheels are loose. Check if the wheel bearing is worn out or slightly off.
Bad tires
Another reason why your car is making a humming noise at 40 mph is because of poor tires. The humming noises from poor tires might be greater when you keep accelerating. Old tires will have signs of wear and tear when the tires are getting old. Uneven weight distribution could cause vibration and noise issue when a car is in motion. Old and feathered tires are caused by bad suspension components. When your suspension is not in good condition, your car tires tend to wobble.
Unmatched tires
When one or more of your tires is unmatched or uneven, it could cause your car to keep making a loud humming noise. When your vehicle has different tire types which aren’t lined up evenly, this could be a problem and cause radial runout.
Malfunctioning driveshaft
Usually, a driveshaft should be properly aligned and balanced to help cars on the road. But sometimes rust affects the driveshaft and this could make the car hum while in motion. You can try to straighten this unbalanced driveshaft if you have the time. It’s pretty easy. If the humming sounds persist after doing this, then you might need to call a professional mechanic.
Leak in the Vacuum Hose
The above places we have suggested are all car exteriors. However, sometimes the damage is internal. When your car vacuum hose is faulty or there is a hole in it, it could cause steering wheel vibrations or humming noise as your car increases acceleration or at higher speeds. The vacuum hose usually manages the air to the fuel ratio, which ensures your car’s optimal engine performance.
Cost implications of fixing your car’s loud humming noise at 40 mph
The cost of fixing your car’s buzzing noise depends on the problems. To change or replace the wheel bearings, you might need around $ 400 or more. The prices of tires have jumped, so one tire could cost $220 minus labor costs. To repair a vacuum hose, you should budget from $150 to $ 900.
Can I fix my car’s humming noise at 40 miles myself or should I call a mechanic?
To answer these questions, you will need to know the problem. If the problem is associated with the driveshaft, then it’s something that you can do by yourself, but if it’s a more serious problem, you might need to visit the workshop.
Problems caused by humming noise at 40 mph: Solutions
Here are some ways to solve the problem caused by the droning noise from your car:
Tighten the car wheel bearings
If the problem with a strange loud noise from your car is a loose wheel bearing, it could be easily fixed by tightening them. If you aren’t confident about it, get a reliable mechanic to help out.
Replace bad tires
If your tires are bad and the cause of the humming noise from your car, get new tires. Ensure you buy new tires from reputable brands.
Repair the driveshaft
When the cause of your car’s humming noise at 40 mph is traced to a driveshaft imbalance, you should try straightening them out yourself. However, if problems persist, take the car to the workshop.
Repair the leak on the vacuum hose
Fixing this leak requires an expert and is not something you can do yourself. Contact a car repair service to get it fixed immediately.
Conclusion
When a car makes a noise at 40 mph speed, it is important to find out the factors why it is behaving in such a manner. There are certain internal and external components that you need to check to ascertain if they are in the right condition. When the cause of the humming sound is found, ensure you use all necessary solutions to fix it. On the other hand, if you try to fix them yourself and changes aren’t noticed, contact an auto repair service.