Hi Everyone.
I am new to this forum so forgive me if someone has already posted something similar to this.

I recently got a 2012 Maxima Sport. I had a 2009 Maxima SE prior to that and it was by far one of the best driving cars ive ever driven. The ride was smooth, handling was nice a firm, highway speeds didnt even feel liek highway speeds because of how smooth the ride was. Well, my lease was up on the 09 and i loved it so much i decided to get a 2012. I chose the sport because of the bigger wheels as well as the sport tuned suspension. I have to say that it drives no where NEAR as good as the 09. I experience a NOTICEABLY loud humming noise coming from the wheels when i am going speeds of 70 or faster. I also notice that i have to "steer" the car much more than i did my 09. It's almost as if there is wind constantly blowing on my car when im driving.

I have taken it into the dealership twice and they swear that there is nothing they can find wrong. They are telling me that the humming noise is "normal" which i cannot accept. They are also telling me that there is nothing wrong with the alignment. Do any other '12 Maxima owners have this problem? All responses are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

XxSesimeseedxX

 

The humming noise is normal, you opted for a sport which has bigger wheels and smaller tire sidewalls. It will be noisier because of the wheels, change to 18in wheels with a beefier side wall and problem solved.

 

The sport is definately not as quiet or smooth as the non-sport, but that is to be expected!

 

My premium felt like yours did... feeling of constantly having to steer it to keep it straight. Felt like it was getting pushed around be even slight breezes. My alignment was all kinds of wrong. I would find an alignment shop that will check it for free and do that as your first step.

 

Drive another sport at the dealership and see if it feels the same.

Also did you not notice this on test drive before you bought it?

 

My sv sport did the same thing especially after owning a smooth lexus gs 300 for 5 years and the 19" rims are to blame at 5k miles i had to get a wheel balance they discovered that the front rims were dented and moved them to the back so now its 100% better to drive maybe check the rims for dents cause these dealerships might use that car for test drives to retard drivers

 

Also I since the car is so new I doubt it but bad wheel bearing will cause a "hum".

 

What was your 09 as there was not a 09 SE, the SE was changed to SV Sport in 09. Was it a S, SV/SV Premium, SV Sport?

 

x2. Can't believe no one else caught that lol.

I have cheap 22s and I don't get a hum and it steers fine. I can let go of the wheel and it'll keep fairly straight unless I'm on uneven pavement or hit a pothole. Test drive another Max and see if it's the same.

 

I refuse to accept that the humming is normal. I understand there may be more "road noise" due to the larger wheels, but the humming cannot be normal. The humming occurs mostly with minor dips in the road and when going over bumps. Any sort of change of elevation whether it be minor or major causes the noise. I can also feel a vibration in the steering wheel.

 

Have you checked your tire pressure? I believe the cold psi for the 19's is 33psi. Mine were all off when I got mine, a couple of them were as high as 38 psi, one was spot on at 33psi and the other was too low. Next time you drive it after it's sat for several hours cycle through the display in the instrument panel and see what your readings are. At first start up the readings in the display won't show, but as you drive a few feet they will pop up. Every new vehicle I have purchased had tires that were inflated to the wrong psi. So I make it a habit to check them when I bring a new car home, and after I get new tires.

 

well depends on you as a driver the sport i loved and i regret getting rid of it.. but the premium is for someone that likes to relax on the road.. with the sport your going to feel more bumps due to the suspension and low profile tires. i figured if i got the premium it would change my "speed demon" ways ... na not one bit.. good luck with the drive feel

 

Own 2012 sv premium and also getting really annoyed with the need to steer the wheel straight esspecially on a 5 hrs drive.. brought to dealership and told that was the way all nissan cars are... full of bs

 

I would say your car is not behaving like xpmax's car is, based on his post of 5:45 this morning under the thread 'Phoenix to Vegas - Maxima Sport':

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I passed 1200 miles during the work week, and decided to take a road trip to Vegas. To say I was impressed with the road manners of the Maxima would be a severe understatement.

During a little spirited negotiation of US-93 between Kingman and the Hoover Dam, the Maxima really shows its strengths. The car was flat and stable through the twisties. Body roll was minimal and front to back balance just kind of dared me to go faster. No push, and certainly no oversteer. I wasn't exactly pushing it to the limits; however, it felt like the harder I pushed it, the more stable it felt. It reminded me of my VFR800 in that regard.

Uphill power was abundant, and downhill speed management is a cinch with a flip of the paddle.

The interior shined too: Perfectly comfortable in the driver's seat after 4+ hours on the road. On nice surfaces, the cabin is surprisingly quiet. I'd say it's as good or better than the 2007 BMW 530i I traded for this car. From day one, the BMW moonroof rattled and presented audible wind noise unless the shade was drawn. Not so with the Maxima, just dead quiet up there.

I think this car is a remarkable balance between a sedan and sports car. It's obviously not at the top of either class, but it sure as hell blends the categories well. Ya, I'll keep this one for a while.

To top it all off, I made $100 playing Roulette--so free gas money for the trip and I get to enjoy the spectacular Southwest highways again for four more hours tomorrow. Life is good.
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Back to your problem:

This Maxima is not set up to have a strong 'return-to-center' feel in the steering (like most cars of the 1950s thru 1970s did), but it should have a TENDENCY to return to center unless we tell it otherwise by turning the wheel. And my Maxima does.

Of course buffeting by winds, especially intermittently gusting winds from the side, will make the Maxima (and most cars) require quick steering adjustments.

But if your car requires lots of steering sdjustments when there is no wind and the road is flat and smooth, something else is involved. I recall having a 1970 Cutlass that did this. When the alignment was checked, there was toe-in on the front wheels, and whichever front tire had the most weight on it at any given instant would override the other tire and go in whatever direction that tire was pointed at that instant. Constant tug-of-war between the front tires. Miserable driving situation.

Hope you can find what is causing this problem.