Why are my tires suddenly loud?

When your tires make sudden loud or unusual noises, this is most likely caused by uneven tread wear, like cupping or feathering. Cupping is when high-low spots form on the tread, which will create noise and/or vibrations. Feathering is an angled wear that happens to one side of the tread rib and not the other. Feathering can also cause your tires to pull to one side more than the other. Noise can also be a result of low tire pressure, wheel misalignment, or failing bearings. If you recently got new tires with larger treads, like off-road or performance tires, they may naturally be louder than your previous tires that were designed with low sound levels in mind.

Can low tire pressure make my tires noisy?

Yes, low pressure can cause a tire’s edges to lose their shape and wear unevenly. This will typically result in the tires making a squealing, humming, or flapping sound as they hit the pavement. But remember, both under-inflated and over-inflated tires can be a cause of road noise.

Do unevenly worn tires make noise?

We often hear from drivers whose tires are making a thumping or tire hum while driving. It doesn’t take long to see that the cause is uneven tread wear. Typically, cupping and feathering are to blame.

How do I fix loud tires?

If your tires start making noise, it’s always a good idea to check your tire pressure and make sure it’s in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation. Sometimes, it can be that easy, but other times, you or a mechanic might need to do some investigating. Take a look at your treads to see if there is any damage or uneven wear. If you haven’t rotated your tires, that could be impacting the wear and contributing to the noise. Now, if your tires are pulling to the side or vibrating, it's time to get your wheels balanced or aligned. If your tires are old, plain and simple, it’s time to go get new ones. As the rubber gets older and harder over time, it will also get louder.

Why do my new tires sound so loud compared to my old ones?

Just like shoes, new tires need to be broken in. Their compounds and lubricants need time to settle, which creates noise for a short duration of time. After they’ve been on the road for a few hundred miles, the noise will reduce or go away altogether. If the noise continues, the tread pattern might be different from your previous tires, creating a louder noise when they come into contact with the road.

When is loud tire noise dangerous?

If the noise shows up out of nowhere and you notice vibrations, pulling, thumping, or additional brake and steering problems, please get your vehicle inspected. These could be signs of serious issues that could impact your safety on the road.

Can alignment or balance cause tire noise?

Alignment and balance issues with your tires will lead to uneven wear and tear, which causes unnecessary noise. If you suspect alignment issues with your vehicle, visit your preferred service center to avoid costly suspension system damage.

Home Learning Center Why Are My Tires So Loud All of a Sudden?

Why Are My Tires So Loud All of a Sudden?

By Denesh Santiago

Published 09/19/2025

If you’ve begun noticing loud tire noises all of a sudden while driving, your wheels could be trying to tell you something. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most common reasons why your tires sound louder than usual, the different types of noises your tires make and what they mean, whether the sounds are a sign of a minor or serious problem, what next steps you should take, and some of the most frequently asked questions about why car tires make loud road noise.

Common Causes of Sudden Loud Tire Noise

Why do my tires sound louder than usual? As your tires take on the brunt of the workload while driving, it’s natural for them to wear down. Let’s take a look at some of these wear signs or common tire issues that may be the cause of unusual tire noise:

Uneven tread wear

Cupping, feathering, or flat spots on your tires could be the cause of any humming, roaring, or thumping sounds that are coming from below your vehicle. This typically happens from suspension wear or if your tires aren’t frequently rotated.

Low tire pressure or overinflation

Tire pressure has a direct impact on the way your tires come into contact with the road. This is really common during seasonal temperature changes and can increase the noise made by your tires. For more information, check out the Mavis Tire Pressure Hub for a thorough breakdown.

Wheel bearing or alignment issues

Component or alignment problems can cause high-pitched whining sounds and roaring tire noise while driving. You may also notice your vehicle pulling to one side or another. In this case, you’ll want to visit Mavis or a local repair shop to check out their wheel alignment services.

Rotational noise from tire imbalances

Unbalanced tires will get louder as a vehicle moves faster. This is a classic sign that your tires require servicing.

Cheap or worn tire compounds

Tires can make more noise as their rubber ages and hardens. Cheaper tires use a basic blend of rubber and have a simpler tread, which wears faster compared to premium tires that use high-quality compounds and noise-reduction features.

For example, performance tires have a stiffer rubber with a superior level of traction. They are made with softer compounds, which will be quiet at the start, but as they experience wear and tear, they will get louder. Touring tires were made with comfort and low noise levels as a top priority. The flexible compound and tread patterns of these tires reduce vibration and air pumping noise, making them the quietest option.

Off-roading tires are a different story. These tires use hard compounds and really big treads for durability and grip on uneven road surfaces. No matter what, when you’re driving with off-road tires on the highway, you’ll experience a roaring noise.

Seasonal/environmental factors

Your vehicle’s environment will naturally impact your tires’ ability to function at their highest capacity. Cold weather will stiffen the rubber of your tires, causing temporary noise until they warm up again. Rough winter roads can also lead to uneven wear, which could be another reason your tires are louder than usual.

What Different Tire Noises Mean

The sound that your tires make can actually be an indicator of what’s going on with them. For example, if your tires are making a roaring noise, this is typically a sign of uneven wear. You may also be driving with off-roading tires on pavement, which will naturally create that warbling noise due to the stiff compounds and heavy-duty treads. What about if you’re experiencing a high-pitched whining sound? Well, then you most likely need an alignment, balancing, or your treads could be cupping the road surface. Thumping sounds usually happen because your tires have flat spots. This can happen if you’ve been parked for long periods of time, so your tires will have experienced excessive pressure in one spot for too long.

Noise Type	Likely Cause
Roaring noise	Uneven tire wear, or driving with off-roading tires on pavement, stiff compounds, heavy-duty treads.
High-pitch whining	Misalignment, unbalanced tires, or tread cupping against the road surface.
Thumping sound	Flat spots from the vehicle sitting parked too long, causing excess pressure in one area.

Minor vs. Serious Tire Problems

Identifying the difference between a small issue and a serious problem is important for your vehicle’s safety and the health of your tires. Not all noises mean something is wrong, but others could be a calling card of another necessary fix.

Any subtle noises that you experience when driving on a rough surface or normal sounds that occur with various tread patterns aren’t ideal, but nothing to be concerned about. If your tires are making sudden loud noises, vibrating, veering your car to one side, or if you’re experiencing any brake issues, there could be something more serious going on.

Even if your tires are making a nasty noise, we have the tools and expertise to help at Mavis. We’ll find the root cause, and you drive off the lot safely; it’s that simple.

What to Do About Loud Tires

If you’re experiencing loud tires, we recommend checking your tire pressure with a gauge. If the air pressure is low, fill up your tires to the manufacturer’s specifications to prevent uneven tread wear. Next, take a look at your tires and see if you notice any uneven wear, bald spots, or physical damage.

Ask yourself the last time you had your tires rotated and balanced. If you don’t remember the answer, you should definitely visit a service center. This is a form of regular maintenance that you should be doing every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. After you’ve done these checks, if your tires are still creating unusual noise or you’re experiencing any handling or braking issues while on the road, it may be time for an alignment or brake inspection.

If you want more information about uneven tire wear noises and how to fix them, take a look at our Mavis Tire Hub. If you need more hands-on help with your noisy tires, come visit us at your local Mavis location for a complete and thorough inspection.