noisy tires

[witt]

During our relative mild winter I been driving my 1988 911 Carrera Cabriolet more often with the top up. During the past summers The top was never up.
It is the first time that I noticed a terrific noise from the tires ( I have the car only for two years now. ) The humming noise is so loud that long drives at highway speed are near impossible.
The tires on the car are:
Rear: Kumo ECSTA - STP 225- 50- ZR- 16- 92W
Front: Kumo ECSTA - STP 205- 55- ZR- 16- 91W
The tire pressure are at specs: rear: 44 psi, front: 29 psi.
Are those the right tires ? Is there a solution to my problem ?
This really takes all the fun out of driving with the top up. The noise is tollerable with the top down.
Any advise would be greatly appriciated.

CHEERS !
WITT !

[964TargaC2]

As tires age and wear they become noisy

How old are tires (read date code on sidewall) how much wear is there..

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by witt

During our relative mild winter I been driving my 1988 911 Carrera Cabriolet more often with the top up. During the past summers The top was never up.
It is the first time that I noticed a terrific noise from the tires ( I have the car only for two years now. ) The humming noise is so loud that long drives at highway speed are near impossible.
The tires on the car are:
Rear: Kumo ECSTA - STP 225- 50- ZR- 16- 92W
Front: Kumo ECSTA - STP 205- 55- ZR- 16- 91W
The tire pressure are at specs: rear: 44 psi, front: 29 psi.
Are those the right tires ? Is there a solution to my problem ?
This really takes all the fun out of driving with the top up. The noise is tollerable with the top down.
Any advise would be greatly appriciated.

CHEERS !
WITT !

Rear Tire pressure 44 PSI? Should it not be 34 PSI. That is my SC factory required pressure for rear tires.

[Peter Zimmermann]

^^^Yep, check the date codes and measure remaining tread depth. Back in the day Goodyear tires were famous for becoming harsh, hard and noisy when they were about half worn out. Same for BFGs. I don't know if this is still the case, but it sounds like your Kumho tires might have the same problem. It's probably a good time to switch to Bridgestones.

Oh, drop your rear tire pressure (cold) to 36 psi.

[KTL]

Those are the right size tires and a proper speed rating (Z). How old are they?

When tires get old enough and need to be replaced, they can become quite noisy. It's actually quite surprising how a new set of tires can improve the feel of a car. Plus, some inexpensive tires are just plain noisy.

For example, around 4 years ago my father in law replaced the troublesome original tires (Michelin MXM4) on a 2004 Mazda6 I sold to him. He went REALLY cheap on tire choice. What a mistake. They're so noisy right now, they are louder than the BF Goodrich all-terrain "Rugged Trail" tires on my Chevy Suburban!

My guess is you simply need new tires. Those Kumhos are ready to be retired.

[Jesse16]

I had those on my car when I got it and they were loud when worn. New tires made all the difference. Got a set of Goodyear Eagles for no particular reason at the time other than they were all season and had great rating for quiet. Then I proceeded to modify my exhaust and make it loud again. Smart.

[witt]

Thank you everybody for your advise. I will check up on all recomendations.
Seems I got the rear tire pressure wrong, 44 psi pertains to the Carrera Turbo ! 36 lbs is recomended for my car.
Thanks again, will keep you posted.

CHEERS !
WITT !

[witt]

.....just checked the age and threat, pictures are enclosed: 1005
10th week of 2005
Adjusted tire pressure to 36 psi, no test drive yet.

CHEERS !
WITT !

[witt]

....having trouble uploading pictures, here we go, once more with feeling....

CHEERS !
WITT !

[KTL]

2005 is old. Those tires are ready to be replaced, regardless of tread depth.

[Bob Kontak]

Just for fun, run your hands over the circumference of the treads on the inboard and outboard side. Feel for cupping on the tire tread.

Had Kuhmos on a Turbo Beetle and they cupped badly. I do think they were a little softer than the original tires so the misalignment did speed the wear. Nothing wrong with the tires, mind you. It was the car.