While driving, there’s nothing more frustrating than the humming noise only when accelerating. So what’s wrong with your car?
Multiple causes lead to that annoying sound. Although it doesn’t sound like a serious issue, you and your car may encounter severe damage if you just ignore it.
This article will discuss why your car has such a humming noise when speeding up. Then, you can figure out the best solution to address it.
Why Does Your Car Have Humming Noise Only When Accelerating?
If you hear your car making humming noise when driving, there will be several parts to check. Only when you identify the cause can you solve your problem.
Damaged bearings
Faulty bearings are the most significant cause of humming noises in your car. They often get damaged because of speed bumps, potholes, and other obstructions on the road.
Besides, the bearings are in charge of connecting the axle and wheel, enabling their smooth rotation. Hence, even without the on-road obstructions, bearings may break down over time due to the pressure.
In addition to the wheel bearings, you must also pay attention to the bearings on the water pumps. They may deteriorate with use and cause a humming noise in your car.
How to solve it?
Wheel bearing replacement is the best solution for this situation. The new bearings will reduce the humming noise and increase your vehicle’s overall performance.
The replacement task is complicated, asking for professional help. Yet, if you are confident with your mechanic skill, please follow these steps to replace the bearings yourself:
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Use wheel chocks to secure the wheels whose bearings should be replaced.
- Use a jack to raise the wheel and release the lug nuts. At this step, you can remove the wheels.
- Detach the caliper from its brake system.
- Remove any dust that is coating the cotter pin and castle nut.
- Remove the rotor of the engine.
- Unscrew the hub nuts to take off the old hub.
- Disassemble the hub assembly to remove it.
- Replace the bearings and races.
- Put all of the components together in reverse order.
Tire issues
You can blame the tires when your car makes noise when accelerating at high speed. There are many cases for this issue, such as:
- Uneven wear: If you have misaligned wheels, improper tire inflation, or worn suspension components, your tires will wear out unevenly. As a result, when you speed up, there may be a humming or whining noise.
- Tire tread: If the tire treads wear down, they will interact with the road surface harshly, resulting in a buzzing or humming noise.
- Wrong size: The annoying sound also occurs if you use tires of the wrong type or size.
- Damaged tires: This problem will create uneven contact with the road while driving. Then, when you accelerate, it can produce a humming noise.
How to solve it?
In this case, you need to check for any sign of damage or wear on the tires. Also, ensure that your tires are the correct size and type for your automobile.
Even after fixing the tire issues, you should always pay attention to them with regular maintenance and replacement.
Faulty CV joint
The CV (Constant Velocity) connects the wheels and the transmission. It helps the wheels move up and down while receiving power from the transmission.
A CV joint that has broken down might produce a humming sound. While speeding up, turning, or traveling over bumps, the noise could be more noticeable.
Furthermore, the steering wheel or the entire car may shake or vibrate due to a broken CV joint.
How to solve it?
A CV joint replacement is a complicated process requiring specialized equipment and expertise. Hence, you should have a certified mechanic replace it.
Oil problems
Oil is essential for lubricating the engine’s inner components, including the valve train, bearings, and pistons.
So, if you use the wrong type of oil or don’t fuel your car with enough oil, the friction and wear between those components will increase, causing a humming noise when you try to speed up.
How to solve it?
First, ensure that you give your engine the correct type of oil by consulting the owner’s manual. It will also recommend the oil viscosity for your particular model of automobile.
Then, check the current oil level of your car. The guides are as follows:
- Open the car hood and find the dipstick.
- Pull the dipstick out of its tube.
- Wipe the stick clean of oil.
- Insert the stick back into its rube and pull it out again.
- Look at the oil level on the stick. It should be between the minimum and maximum marks.
- If the oil level is low, add oil using the oil filter cap.
Transmission problems
The bad transmission also causes noise in your car. There are various cases to check, including the following:
- Worn gears: Your car has different gears that will wear out if you drive often. As a result, when you speed up, you may notice differential vibrations and noises.
- Bad transmission fluid: The fluid in the transmission system goes down terribly, allowing excess air to penetrate the transmission line and causing noisy sounds.
How to solve it?
To fix the transmission humming noise when accelerating, find out which gear in your car is producing the noise. If you can’t, seek mechanical guidance for help.
Then, consider replacing the transmission fluid with a better version. Do not forget to keep an eye on the fluid in your car regularly.
Steering issues
Your steering wheel may get twisted. If not in its exact position, the steering wheel will hum when you try to accelerate.
Another problem with the steering wheel is its belt. Since it’s responsible for the power steering pump, it may slip and make noise when loosened.
How to solve it?
You need to fix the twisted steering wheel as soon as possible. However, it’s not easy to center the steering wheel on your own.
For example, you must check the tires, suspension, and your car’s alignment before adjusting the steering wheel. All of those tasks demand expertise in car repair.
As a result, we recommend taking your car to the repair shop. The cost of your steering wheel alignment can be from $50 to $200, depending on the severity of the problem.
On the other hand, replacing the steering belt is simpler. Please follow these steps to do it properly:
- Open the car hood.
- Find the steering belt at the front of the engine.
- Remove the old belt by loosening the tensioner pulleys.
- Route the new belt around the pulleys in the correct routing pattern described in the owner’s manual.
- Tighten the tensioner pulleys with a wrench.
- Start your engine and let it run for a few minutes to test the new belt.
Incorrect cylinder compression
When you start, your engine may roar, but it shouldn’t be too loud. So check the cylinder compression if you notice it’s noisier than usual.
The uneven air-to-fuel ratio in your cylinder may cause the combustion to work at a lower or higher rate than normal. Then, the high pressure will make your engine sound louder.
It’s tricky to detect this culprit. Luckily, it comes with misfiring, stalling, and reduced performance, aside from the humming noise.
How to solve it?
Incorrect cylinder compression may come from multiple reasons, such as damaged valves or worn piston rings. Depending on the exact cause, you will have different solutions.
Again, fixing the cylinder compression is a complicated process. As a result, you should have it treated by a professional mechanic.
Recommend Reading: How Long Will A Wheel Bearing Last After It Starts Making Noise?
Recommend Reading: SOLVED! Car Makes a Humming Noise at 40 mph
Can You Drive Your Car With A Humming Noise?
Your car may have a humming noise for different causes. While some seem fine at first, others will be riskier. Hence, driving your car in that condition is not a good idea.
So what can you do? Once you notice your car making noise when accelerating, park at the right place and check for any signs of damage. If possible, visit the nearest garage for help.
Also, you may notice a louder noise from your car. Sometimes, it sounds like a lawn mower. We have written about it here . Please check to prevent further damage and potential risks.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Car’s Humming Noise?
The cost to fix your car’s humming noise depends on the underlying cause. The make and model of your car play a vital role, too. For example:
- Tire issues: You need to spend about $50 to $500 to fix your damaged tires.
- Suspension issues: A basic suspension system repair costs around $200. However, if you intend to replace the complete suspension, expect to pay about $1,000.
- Steering issues: As mentioned above, steering wheel alignment may cost somewhere between $50 to $200.
- Transmission issues: Multiple cases happen to the transmission. As a result, the cost to fix it varies widely, from $100 to $2,000.
Conclusion
The humming noise only when accelerating is a sign of various underlying issues, from minor to severe. You need to check for all possible cases, such as damaged bearings, transmission issues, or faulty CV joints, to determine the exact case.
Regular maintenance can help prevent those issues. Besides, if you notice a humming noise, stop your car and check it thoroughly before continuing your drive.
Hopefully, you will find this guide helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!
