Ask an expert

I have a 2005 Mondeo SW 2litre Auto. It develops loud harmonics on smooth seal? The Ford service centre suggested scalloped tyres were the cause, but that has been ruled out by renewing the tyres. Any ideas please?

Colin

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 11 September 2008

The first thing to determine is whether there is a problem with the vehicle or not. May seem a strange way to start this reply but some vehicles do have characteristics which are considered normal. For example, it still may be tyre noise you are hearing on smooth roads, and apart from trying a different brand of tyre there may little you can do about it.

I remember when I was working for a new car distributor the lengths we went to try and absorb tyre noise when we received a customer complaint.

No doubt the Ford dealer has eliminated a wheel bearing or any other mechanical fault. Having said that, there are a lot of vehicles which have a 'gear whine' which is much more audible on smooth seal. Once again this may be considered quite normal.

Have you owned the car long and have the harmonics just started or has it been there since day one? If you have owned the vehicle for some time and the harmonics are new then there has to be something wrong. Maybe a drive with the senior technician or foreman from the Ford dealer may help if you haven't already done that.

One more thought, if the vehicle is fitted with a roof rack, then I would remove it, to see if there was any change.

Sorry I cant be any more helpful.