They might be irritating, but noises coming from your tyres don’t always indicate a serious issue. What you hear may be easily remedied, but sometimes what you think might be a simple noise, could be a little more involved.

EASY TO FIX: UNDERINFLATION

Squealing of your tyres occurs when the rubber pulls laterally against the surface of the road. One of the most common and easily preventable causes for tyre squealing? Under inflation. Properly inflated tyres typically don’t make much noise, unless taking a bend too quickly. Tyre squeal occurs if the tyres are pushed past their abilities to adhere to the road, such as during hard cornering. If you’re hearing the squealing at lower speeds, check your tyre pressure or stop by a trusted neighborhood tyre retailer.

HARDER TO FIX: ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS AND BRAKES

Other common reasons for squealing tyres have little to do with the tyres themselves. A poorly aligned vehicle can also exhibit loud squealing. Correcting alignment requires some specialized tools and is typically not an expensive repair. Stay on top of this problem before it happens by having your alignment checked every six months.

Worn brakes and calipers are also notorious noise makers. Always treat brake sounds as a potential hazard because that’s exactly what it is. The importance of keeping your brakes in working order cannot be overstated: they’re one of the most important components of your vehicle.

The cost of brake repairs can vary widely depending on the issue, but you can’t afford to hit snooze on getting them fixed. Any of our preferred installers would happy to give you a hand.

OTHER REASONS

In a few circumstances, such as a chunky tread blocks that experience a lot of tread squirm, or even driving over changes in the surface of the road, some noise should be expected.

If you’re not sure what’s causing your noise, get a professional diagnosis of the cause. An expert examining your vehicle in person can adequately assess the root cause and provide an estimate for repairs.