Wheels/Tyres: - Noise - is it Tyres or Transmission?

davec · Aug 7th, 2011, 18:22

We've had Nokian WR2's fitted to my wife's xc90 for the last 3 years/30k and I fully intended replacing with the same however even though we've swapped front to rear to even up wear, the rear's have just had to be replaced. Unfortunately there was no stock of winter tyres yet and it wasn't safe to risk waiting another 6-8 weeks for new winter stock so I got her to put a pair of Kumho KL12's on the rear to see it through. That was on Friday, yesterday we drove to London and I was surprised by the amount of tyre noise from the rear end.

Then setting off home today there is a red warning 'power system service urgent' with red triangle. I checked the forum when we got home and the received wisdom is that this is typically alternator not charging so I tested voltage across the battery at standstill and running and it appears to be charging fine. I also check the power sterring reservoir as the PS pump runs off the same belt as the alternator so wondered if this may be cuse of warning. The reservoir is slightly low and although I haven't been able to get hold of some top-up fluid this afternoon, there hasn't been any prolem with the PS so I don't think this can be the issue unless there is a depth sensor in the reservoir?

So I don't think the warning is related to the noise from the rear end - maybe just coincidence?

I wondered if the Kumho's were prone to noise but everyone here who has chaged all 4 don't mention any problem with noise, so I strated thinking is the noise actually transmission whine because we now have new tyres on the rear and part-worn (4-5mm) on the front?

Rear wheel bearings have recently been done so its not them! Oh and spare me the lecture on not mixing summer/winter tyres - it was only going to be for a few weeks, but I'm wondering now if I should just get another pair of Kumho's put on the front if it will cure the whine?

Is the AWD system prone to 'wind-up' from having different rolling circumferances front and rear?

Sorry for the long post, but any help appreciated

owenfackrell · Aug 7th, 2011, 21:14

I have the khumos and don't have any noise from them they are also all season tyres rather than summer ones.
Some say not to mix tyre sizes due to the hadlex not liking it but there is no mention of this in my manual.

davec · Aug 7th, 2011, 22:37

Thanks for the reply - another confirmation that the Kumhos don't produce tyre noise. You are right the Kumhos are all season, in my haste to distinguish them from the winter Nokians I called them summer tyres!

From what limited knowledge I have of the Haldex coupling, it should cope fine with small deviations in tyres sizes as a result of tread depth, but I can't think what else has suddenly caused the noise. BTW this is a 2004 D5.

The wife was due to set off to the west country with the kids in the morning, but I think she better take my car so I can get these problems with the volvo looked in to. Really need to know what the 'Power System Urgent Service' warning is all about..

bigtree · Aug 11th, 2011, 11:27

Sorry to bump this but does anyone have any experience of noise with Yokohama Advan STs 18s?

Aug 7th, 2011, 18:22	#1
davec New Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2015 18:14 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hants	Noise - is it Tyres or Transmission? We've had Nokian WR2's fitted to my wife's xc90 for the last 3 years/30k and I fully intended replacing with the same however even though we've swapped front to rear to even up wear, the rear's have just had to be replaced. Unfortunately there was no stock of winter tyres yet and it wasn't safe to risk waiting another 6-8 weeks for new winter stock so I got her to put a pair of Kumho KL12's on the rear to see it through. That was on Friday, yesterday we drove to London and I was surprised by the amount of tyre noise from the rear end. Then setting off home today there is a red warning 'power system service urgent' with red triangle. I checked the forum when we got home and the received wisdom is that this is typically alternator not charging so I tested voltage across the battery at standstill and running and it appears to be charging fine. I also check the power sterring reservoir as the PS pump runs off the same belt as the alternator so wondered if this may be cuse of warning. The reservoir is slightly low and although I haven't been able to get hold of some top-up fluid this afternoon, there hasn't been any prolem with the PS so I don't think this can be the issue unless there is a depth sensor in the reservoir? So I don't think the warning is related to the noise from the rear end - maybe just coincidence? I wondered if the Kumho's were prone to noise but everyone here who has chaged all 4 don't mention any problem with noise, so I strated thinking is the noise actually transmission whine because we now have new tyres on the rear and part-worn (4-5mm) on the front? Rear wheel bearings have recently been done so its not them! Oh and spare me the lecture on not mixing summer/winter tyres - it was only going to be for a few weeks, but I'm wondering now if I should just get another pair of Kumho's put on the front if it will cure the whine? Is the AWD system prone to 'wind-up' from having different rolling circumferances front and rear? Sorry for the long post, but any help appreciated

Aug 7th, 2011, 21:14	#2
owenfackrell Premier Member Last Online: Feb 4th, 2024 19:04 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: southampton	I have the khumos and don't have any noise from them they are also all season tyres rather than summer ones. Some say not to mix tyre sizes due to the hadlex not liking it but there is no mention of this in my manual.

Aug 7th, 2011, 22:37	#3
davec New Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2015 18:14 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hants	Thanks for the reply - another confirmation that the Kumhos don't produce tyre noise. You are right the Kumhos are all season, in my haste to distinguish them from the winter Nokians I called them summer tyres! From what limited knowledge I have of the Haldex coupling, it should cope fine with small deviations in tyres sizes as a result of tread depth, but I can't think what else has suddenly caused the noise. BTW this is a 2004 D5. The wife was due to set off to the west country with the kids in the morning, but I think she better take my car so I can get these problems with the volvo looked in to. Really need to know what the 'Power System Urgent Service' warning is all about..

Aug 11th, 2011, 11:27	#4
bigtree Not so Junior Member Last Online: Jun 21st, 2015 19:43 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Birmingham	Sorry to bump this but does anyone have any experience of noise with Yokohama Advan STs 18s?

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