Whistling sound with Snow Tires

[juddy987]

Experts,

I have 2006 X5 4.4. Just changed the factory wheels (255/55 R18) with all seasons to BMW 5 spoke style 57 wheels with Nokian snow tires (235/65 R17) - recommended size and wheels...
Now I drive it on the highway and I get a whistling sound as though you get from large trucks...the sound is definitely coming from the wheels/tires not from the engine compartment...there was no sound with factory wheels and tires...

Any suggestions what could it be...I have BMW recommended pressure settings on the snow 32 front and 33 rear...

Help!!

Judd

[X5Flyboy]

I do know different snows sound different on dry pavement, but never heard Nokians before, so I can't tell you if what you are hearing is "normal" or not

[juddy987]

thanks mark....these are finnish brand rated for ice and snow..found them online...Nokian Hakkapeliita...studless

http://www.nokiantires.com

the sound is similar to the one coming from a large heavy laden truck moving on dry road..the pitch sharpens with speed..

Judd

[X5Flyboy]

yeah, the sound comes from the tread design - that's why many sound different - after so many years of "all-season", the older ones of us can remember that snow tires can be noisy - if you only hit the occasional snow storm, finding a "quieter" snow tire (Pirelli or Michelin I've had and seem to be fairly quiet) maybe what you are looking for - If you run in snow virtually all winter, a more aggressive tread will perform better in snow, but sound much louder on dry pavement

[Last5oh]

X3 - thread pattern.



So if the tires from Finland whistle....
would the Austrian tires yodel?


Sorry... just couldn't resist.