What is that whining noise?

BART FROM CASSELBERRY, FL WANTS TO KNOW:

I'm hearing a whining road noise while driving my vehicle, what could it be?

DEAR BART:

This is a very common question, I get asked this a lot.  It is important when you hear noises in your vehicle to get it looked at as soon as possible.  The most common reasons for road noises come from tires, wheel bearings, brakes and suspension parts.  Tire noises could be caused by the wrong type of tire for your vehicle, dry rotting or odd wear patterns.  If the noise changes as you change the speed, it could be tires or wheel bearings.  In Bart's case, a vehicle inspection revealed that he needed a left front wheel bearing.  This was pretty serious because the wheel could have locked up on Bart while he was driving.  If you hear any noises from your vehicle, the best option is to get a professional to look at it.  If you have any questions or need your vehicle inspected, stop by Universal Tire and Auto and we'll check it out. 

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Thanks! Mike