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WCCO's Car Care

Wheel Bearing Basics, Time to Check Tire Pressure, Summer Tires vs. Winter Tires

·28 min·2 clips
Denny Long describes the humming sound from his wheel bearing and his nervous drive to the shop.
The episode begins with host Denny Long sharing a personal experience where he suspected a wheel bearing problem in his vehicle, describing a humming sound and his diagnostic process. He drove it to Lloyd's Automotive, where technician Nick Stoffel confirmed it was a wheel bearing. Nick explains the dangers of ignoring such noises, noting that the noise might disappear as the bearing loosens, making it more hazardous. He describes the repair process for modern sealed bearing assemblies versus older repackable bearings. The conversation shifts to listener questions, starting with a wheel bearing dust shield that can bend and scrape, causing noise. Multiple tire-related questions follow, including a Nissan Altima with a highway hum possibly from uneven tire wear, a Toyota Prius with a persistent tire pressure light needing a reset, and a Volvo with a slow leak that could damage the tire sidewall. Nick advises on cold-weather tire pressure, recommending adding 2-3 PSI to compensate for temperature drops. A listener asks about switching from summer to winter tires for a BMW X5, and Nick suggests considering a separate winter tire set. Other topics include a Toyota Sienna heater control knob issue, tire rotation frequency, oil change intervals for synthetic oil, checking for recalls, a Buick Lucerne blend door problem causing inconsistent heat, and Subaru TPMS intermittent messages. The show concludes with contact information for Lloyd's Automotive.

As heard by us

A humming wheel bearing and two tire-pressure questions make routine maintenance feel timely and useful.

A faint hum can be the first sign of a wheel bearing problem, even when the car is not shaking. This episode gives that symptom the right amount of attention, as ASC certified technician Nick Stoffel explains why a new noise deserves a closer look.

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Why you'd press play

Wondering whether a humming wheel bearing deserves a prompt look, or why a tire-pressure light stays on?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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