Hello-
I'm new on here. Wondering about advice for my 2002 Honda Accord....I have 207,000 miles on it and do a lot of highway driving. Got new tires about 2 months ago. Just went to get them aligned and was told that everything is fine but I'm not really thinking so.

My problem is that in the past week or so, it seems that my car has a very low buzzing or constant humming noise. It is so subtle that passengers in my car feel that I dont know what I'm talking about but knowing my car as well as I do, I know it doesnt sound right. I had my boyfriend drive it and he said that he could hear it too...we couldnt figure out if it was sounding like a rubbing sound from the back tires or if it was more like the sound of a car when it doesnt shift out of 2nd gear (my car is automatic by the way). It only starts when i get around 40mph and above. But he did this thing where we are in Drive and then he put it into Neutral and the RPM's didnt spike or anything and even when I drive over 40 mph (on freeway and such), the rpm's act totally normal.
I was reading up that this might be a wheel bearing issue? My brother (he's my mechanic) told me they were never changed. Do you people think that a bearing can make the car to have such weird minor sound? Also, I drive a ton to work each day...wonder if it's safe to drive for a few weeks til I have time to get it repaired?
thanks in advance!

 

It could very well be a wheel bearing at that mileage, is the sound only at 40 mph? A wheel bearing typically will make sounds at all speeds (higher pitched as speed increases), but this may just make sound at one speed on it's way out.

Off topic, but congratulations on getting a 98-02 auto tranny up to 207,000 miles, that's pretty much unheard of.

 

HI-
thanks for your help. Yeah actually 40 mph is when I typically first hear the annoying noise but it continues at any speed over 40 too.

and regarding this:" Off topic, but congratulations on getting a 98-02 auto tranny up to 207,000 miles, that's pretty much unheard of. "---Thanks. This car has been really great to me. I hope it lasts for another 100,000+ miles!

 

An easy way to check for wheel bearing; driving at speed [when the noise is present] slightly turn from side to side to see if the noise changes as you load/unload the weight.