Tires squeal as rubber scrubs off during an attempt to gain traction while braking, turning, or accelerating hard. The sound will continue even when you gently turn if the problem is serious. However, if you hear squealing when turning on a parking lot, especially if there are recently painted sections, there might not be a problem. You should make low-speed, tight-radius turns since the surface is more slippery. There will be a shoe-like squealing sound from the tires, but this is usually not a problem.

You may hear a tire squeal when turning corners if: the tires are underinflated, worn out, or have uneven wear; the wheels are out of alignment or if there is a problem with the wheel, steering, or suspension components.

Common Causes of Tire Squeal When Turning Corners

Wheel Misalignment

The toe and camber settings of wheel alignment determine the position of the wheels in relation to the ground and one another. If one fails, the tires may wear unevenly and contact the road at an incorrect angle. This can cause a slew of strange noises, including tire squeals when turning corners.

Once you hit a large road curb or a pothole, the suspension position may change. Also, if a mechanic breaks the three settings while performing a tire rotation or installing new wheels/suspension, it may be out of alignment.

It’s critical to understand the distinction between wheel alignment and tire balancing. One has to do with suspension positioning, while the other focuses on weight distribution within a tire.

Irregular or Uneven Treadwear

Tire tread provides traction, and a lack of it causes a tire to squeal when turning corners. At 2/32″ tread depth, tires are usually deemed bald and dangerous. However, at 5/32″, traction loss may become apparent. When your tires reach 4-3/32″, you should start looking for a new set because your current tires will be unsafe and noisy.

Uneven wear may cause your tires to squeal much sooner. In this case, only a portion of the tire wears prematurely, and the difference in tread depth is quite noticeable even at a rate of 1-2/32″. Irregular tire wear can also indicate alignment issues, wheel, and suspension parts damage or wear, etc.

Examine your tires regularly to avoid uneven wear that can cause a tire to squeal when turning corners. Check the tire balance, pressure, wheel alignment, suspension, wheel condition, and so on. Also, remember to rotate the tires to attain even weight distribution throughout the set.

Under-Inflation

Tires with low air pressure are more prone to flattening, damage, and flexing. This also reduces the tire’s traction capabilities. As you turn, there is low resistance to the physical forces within the tire, so it seeks the optimal amount of road contact. Due to the item’s poor form, the rubber slides sideways, causing the tire to squeal when turning corners.

The lack of air pressure could be caused by a leak, which occurs when one tire loses more pressure than the others. Such tires must be repaired or replaced if possible. A lack of maintenance may also cause underinflation.

The number of inspections required is determined by the roads you drive on, your driving style, and the age of your tires. However, controlling the air pressure in the tires prevents uneven wear, reduces the risk of a flat tire or blowout, and extends the tire’s lifespan.

Solutions To Tire Squeal When Turning Corners

Routine Pressure Checks

Air pressure is one of the most important things to monitor because it is easily lost. An air leak is almost unavoidable if a nail gets caught in the tire. By the time you notice it, it may be too late. Riding on a tire that is 25% deflated is considered dangerous. In such cases, the probability of a tire-related crash increases threefold.

The recommended pressure for a regular lightweight tire is 30 psi, so 25% of that pressure is 7.5 psi. A leaking tire can lose up to 3 psi per day without blowing out.

Style Of Driving

You might hear a tire squeal when turning corners, braking, or increasing speed. This could be because of your style of driving. If possible, avoid hard maneuvers such as hard braking, hard cornering, or rapid acceleration to ensure the longevity of your steering, suspension, wheels, and tires.

Proper Tire Maintenance Routine

It is necessary to run routine tire maintenance. Proper tire maintenance includes: wheel alignment, proper tire rotation, and tire balance checks and rebalances if needed.

Proper Vehicle Maintenance Routine

Drive to an auto repair shop every 6 months or annually to inspect the engine, steering, suspension, and other important car parts. Every part has a different life expectancy, and you should be aware of at least some of them to replace them on time. If you don’t, the worn-out parts can cause a tire to squeal when turning corners or produce similar noises.