Unusual noises, such as whirring, can make driving unsettling and concerning. They’re not only unpleasant to hear, but also signal serious underlying issues that need urgent attention.
If your vehicle produces a whirring noise when moving, it’s best to troubleshoot and solve the problem immediately. So, unbuckle your seatbelts and roll up your sleeves – it’s time to get to the bottom of things!
The Tire Treads Are Cupped
Treads are a critical part of a tire. They provide contact with the ground, which is necessary for your car to move. Like most car parts, tires wear out with time, and their treads may develop uneven curves along their surfaces.
Besides, cupped treads have high and low points instead of smooth surfaces. As a result, they often cause a whirring noise when the vehicle moves.
Some of the common causes of cupped tire treads include the following:
- Improper tire inflation: Underinflating or overinflating your tires can cause them to wear unevenly, causing cupping.
- Misaligned wheels: This causes uneven tire wear, resulting in cupping.
- Worn-out shock absorbers: Your car’s shock absorbers dampen the impact of the road on your tires. When the absorbers wear out, your tires will bounce more, leading to cupping.
- Worn-out suspension parts: If your car’s suspension is damaged, it won’t distribute weight to the tires evenly, which may cause tread cupping.
- Aggressive driving habits: If you drive too fast or brake hard, the chances are higher of having uneven tire wear, causing uneven treads.
How to Fix
Fixing tires with cupped treads is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to do that in a few steps:
- Park your car in a flat, safe place.
- Lift the first tire with a jack and place your car on a jack stand.
- Pass one hand on the tread, rotating the tire to feel if it’s smooth.
- Visually check the tire for dark and light spots.
- Repeat steps 1 – 4 for the remaining tires.
- If you notice dark and light spots that are uneven along the tread, you may need to rotate the tire. If the cupping is severe, replace the tire.
The Differential Oil Is Low
Low differential oil can make driving a nightmare. The differential is that part of your vehicle’s drivetrain that transfers power from the engine to the wheels, allowing the latter to turn at different speeds. It uses oil as a lubricant, ensuring smooth motion.
However, the oil may age or leak, reducing its effectiveness. When that happens, you’re likely to experience the following:
- Excess noise: Low differential fluid can cause a whirring or grinding noise from the vehicle’s rear (in RWDs), front (in FWDs), or both.
- Difficulty controlling your car: When the differential isn’t adequately lubricated, you may find it hard to turn or accelerate your vehicle.
- Visible leaks: You’ll notice oil leaks around the differential or surrounding parts.
How to Fix
Follow these steps to fix your car making a whirring noise when driving due to low differential fluid:
- Locate the fill plug on the housing of your differential.
- Use a ⅜ ratchet to remove the fill plug.
- Insert your finger into the housing. If there’s no gear oil on your finger, the fluid is low and you’ll need to add more oil.
- Add gear oil until it leaks from the fill hole.
- Once the fluid level is sufficient, replace the fill plug and tighten it using the ⅜ ratchet.
- Ensure the plug is secured tightly to prevent leaks.
- Check for leaks around the differential system. Call a professional mechanic to fix all leaks.
- Inspect the differential regularly to catch problems early and prevent costly damage.
Here’s a quick video walkthrough of how to check differential fluid levels:
The Axle Bearings Are Damaged
Damaged axle bearings are a common cause of cars making a whirring noise when driving. These bearings connect different wheels and support your car’s weight. Besides, they reduce friction between the axle and wheel hub, ensuring smooth rotation and turning.
When axle bearings wear out, part of their rollers may get stuck in a race, producing a whirring sound that increases with speed, especially after hitting 30 mph (48 kph).
Here are a few factors that can cause axle bearings to fail:
- Lack of lubrication: Poor lubrication means more friction, which overheats and damages these parts.
- Seal damage: Axle bearings have seals that prevent grease leakage and keep out the elements. Damaged seals let water and dirt in, causing the bearings to corrode.
- Overloading: As I mentioned, these bearings support your vehicle’s weight. Because of that, they may get damaged if you overload your car.
How to Fix
Fixing damaged axle bearings requires previous experience and confidence, so I recommend hiring a professional to do it. Here’s what the mechanic may do:
- Inspect the bearings for damage, such as cracked seals.
- Inspect the wheels for play by lifting the car and shaking the tires in different directions.
- Replace damaged bearings or wheel hubs if necessary.
- Ensuring the bearings are lubricated with grease.
The Power Steering Pump Is Damaged
A damaged power steering pump manifests in several ways, including a persistent whirring noise when driving. When the pump fails, it lets in air into the power steering fluid, resulting in that irritating noise.
Additional signs that your power steering pump is damaged include the following:
- Stiff or difficult steering, especially at low speeds.
- Power steering fluid leaks.
- A dashboard warning light for the power steering system.
- Slow or delayed steering.
How to Fix
Here’s how to fix a failed power steering pump:
- Have a professional mechanic inspect the power steering system.
- Replace the failed pump with a new one. Ensure you check your owner’s manual for the recommended power steering pump.
- Flush the power steering system and add new fluid.
The Power Steering Fluid Is Low
Sometimes, your power steering pump may be in good shape but the fluid is low. When that happens, the power steering system won’t function smoothly (especially if you drive an older car). Instead, you’ll notice the following signs:
- A whirring noise when driving.
- Difficulty turning at low speeds.
- Leaking power steering fluid.
Some of the common causes of low power steering fluid include the following:
- A failing steering rack.
- Damaged power steering lines.
- Skimping on maintenance.
How to Fix
If your power steering fluid is low, you must top it off to eliminate the whirring noise when driving. Here are the steps to follow:
- Remove the cap on the power steering reservoir.
- Dip the dipstick into the reservoir and check the fluid level. Ensure you wipe the dipstick with a clean towel to get accurate results.
- Add more power steering fluid to the manufacturer-recommended level.
Note: Ensure you also check the fluid’s color. When the power steering fluid gets contaminated, it turns brown or black. If the fluid is dirty, follow these steps to drain it before refilling the reservoir:
- Open the reservoir cap.
- Use a turkey baster or eyedropper to drain the fluid.
- If necessary, disconnect the return hose to drain the remaining fluid.
Here’s a quick video that describes the steps to follow when draining and refilling your power steering fluid:
The Transmission Filter Is Clogged
The transmission filter is a crucial part of an automatic car. It removes contaminants from the transmission fluid, ensuring smooth shifting.
However, dirt and debris sometimes accumulate on the filter, reducing the amount of fluid that flows through the transmission pump. As a result, you may hear a whirring noise when driving (or when stationary in some cases).
Here are more signs of a clogged transmission filter:
- A burning smell
- Leakage under your vehicle.
- Hesitation when shifting gears.
- Noise when the car is in neutral.
That being said, here are a few things that may get your transmission filter clogged:
- A build-up of dirt and debris in the filter.
- Using the wrong or poor-quality transmission fluid.
- Lack of maintenance or cheaping out on it.
How to Fix
Fixing a clogged transmission filter can help you eliminate that whirring noise you hear when you ignite your car. Here are the guidelines to follow:
- Let a professional mechanic inspect the transmission to diagnose the problem.
- Replace the clogged filter. Ensure the new filter is compatible with your transmission system. You can do that by checking the owner’s manual.
- Flush the transmission system and fill it with new fluid.
Summary
If your car makes a whirring noise when driving, that’s a red flag you shouldn’t ignore! It may be due to one or more of these factors:
- Cupped tire treads
- Low differential oil
- Bad axle bearings
- Power steering failure
- Clogged transmission filter
Fortunately, most of these causes require easy fixes. If you need help, be sure to call a professional mechanic. They’ll easily identify any other issues that need to be addressed!
