2012 E350 RWD between 45 - 60 mph, can hear a low oscillating humming noise
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
2012 E350
2012 E350 RWD between 45 - 60 mph, can hear a low oscillating humming noise
Got my tired replaced in April. Since then, I only put 5,000 miles on them.
Last week, when coming back from a road trip, I started noticing a low, oscillating humming noise when driving between 45 mph - 60 mph.
- All windows are up, radio off, a/c off to minimize other sounds.
- More noticeable on new highway pavement.
- Noise sounds like wom wom wom wom wom wom.
- The oscillation speeds up when I drive a bit faster.
- The oscillation slows down when I drive a bit slower.
- Cannot hear the noise below 45 mph, nor can I hear the noise above 60 mph.
Took it to Mercedes, they said it was the tires.
Took it to the Les Schwab, the tech there examined everything and found nothing wrong with the tires.
Going to take it back to Mercedes for further inspection.
I think the top two culprits are (1) tires (2) wheel bearings.
Besides these two, are there any other components of I should check?
Last week, when coming back from a road trip, I started noticing a low, oscillating humming noise when driving between 45 mph - 60 mph.
- All windows are up, radio off, a/c off to minimize other sounds.
- More noticeable on new highway pavement.
- Noise sounds like wom wom wom wom wom wom.
- The oscillation speeds up when I drive a bit faster.
- The oscillation slows down when I drive a bit slower.
- Cannot hear the noise below 45 mph, nor can I hear the noise above 60 mph.
Took it to Mercedes, they said it was the tires.
Took it to the Les Schwab, the tech there examined everything and found nothing wrong with the tires.
Going to take it back to Mercedes for further inspection.
I think the top two culprits are (1) tires (2) wheel bearings.
Besides these two, are there any other components of I should check?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
2012 E350
My back tires are larger than my front tires. Can't really do a rotation 
The issue started happening recently. When I just go the new tires in April ... everything seemed fine.
The issue started happening recently. When I just go the new tires in April ... everything seemed fine.
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
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2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Got my tired replaced in April. Since then, I only put 5,000 miles on them.
Last week, when coming back from a road trip, I started noticing a low, oscillating humming noise when driving between 45 mph - 60 mph.
- All windows are up, radio off, a/c off to minimize other sounds.
- More noticeable on new highway pavement.
- Noise sounds like wom wom wom wom wom wom.
- The oscillation speeds up when I drive a bit faster.
- The oscillation slows down when I drive a bit slower.
- Cannot hear the noise below 45 mph, nor can I hear the noise above 60 mph.
Took it to Mercedes, they said it was the tires.
Took it to the Les Schwab, the tech there examined everything and found nothing wrong with the tires.
Going to take it back to Mercedes for further inspection.
I think the top two culprits are (1) tires (2) wheel bearings.
Besides these two, are there any other components of I should check?
Last week, when coming back from a road trip, I started noticing a low, oscillating humming noise when driving between 45 mph - 60 mph.
- All windows are up, radio off, a/c off to minimize other sounds.
- More noticeable on new highway pavement.
- Noise sounds like wom wom wom wom wom wom.
- The oscillation speeds up when I drive a bit faster.
- The oscillation slows down when I drive a bit slower.
- Cannot hear the noise below 45 mph, nor can I hear the noise above 60 mph.
Took it to Mercedes, they said it was the tires.
Took it to the Les Schwab, the tech there examined everything and found nothing wrong with the tires.
Going to take it back to Mercedes for further inspection.
I think the top two culprits are (1) tires (2) wheel bearings.
Besides these two, are there any other components of I should check?
Thinking it probably somehow is tire / wheel related (as engine speed did not make any difference) I took it for a tire balance check yesterday. Found out the tires were off balance because of the banged up rims. Both front rims have the inside edge off round at spots. Also one of the rear wheels has the same problem.
Oscillation in the sound/vibration comes from two (or more) vibration sources running with slightly different speed. Like the tires on your car turn slightly different speeds due to different wear or air pressure. This can make the oscillation in the vibration that you feel or hear.
It is the same phenomena when you hear a two engine plane with the oscillating sound from the engines/propellers. The phase of the sound from the engines being just slightly off will make the sound/vibration amplitude to cancel each other and then amplify each other in an interval depending on the speed level and the difference in speed. This is what you hear or feel as an oscillation.
The guy who balanced my wheels said it may not help but it actually helped a bunch. Almost no vibration on the steering wheel today driving the car to the MB dealer for regular maintenance.
Well worth to check tire balance and if you do ask the mechanic to inspect the tire rim roundness and better yet go see it yourself if it is possible.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Abu Dhabi
2012 E350 Sedan
http://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w212/561980-2012-e350-rwd-between-45-60-mph-can-hea
Hi,
I too have the same vehicle as you do and am experiencing the same symptoms, except, mine is between 20-40 kms/hr and most noticeable at 30kms. Past 40 it's smoothe, almost no noise (not as annoying) and a ticklish vibration on the pedal. Did you have yours sorted? What was the issue?
Thanks for sharing, I'm a newbie on the scene.
I too have the same vehicle as you do and am experiencing the same symptoms, except, mine is between 20-40 kms/hr and most noticeable at 30kms. Past 40 it's smoothe, almost no noise (not as annoying) and a ticklish vibration on the pedal. Did you have yours sorted? What was the issue?
Thanks for sharing, I'm a newbie on the scene.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 42
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E 350
Same issue here: 2014 E350 4Matic 10k on car when purchased. Has made the noise since I bought it. Noticeable around 45 mph and goes away around 50ish. I have both the stock wheels and tires as well as a summer staggered setup. Makes the noise either way. Haven't had to take it to the dealer for a service yet but I will mention it. I figured it was just certain harmonics that happen to be with the rotation of wheels, rotors, differentials, etc. if it breaks then I guess I'll know where it was coming from!
