Chris996

Although I have been a member hear for years, I have never really needed to ask for any assistance being my 2011 has been as reliable as a rock.
She has 120k miles and is mostly highway driven, Basic maintenance but have not touched the CVT fluid.
I noticed that she started making a humming noise at 40mph and up. The noise is speed sensitive not engine rpm sensitive. I can put her in neutral (idle) at speeds over 40 and the humming continues until under 40. I can feel a slight vibration through the gas pedal at those speeds.
The car "shifts" normally with out any hesitation and runs through the gears seamlessly. CVT fluid still looks pinkish and clean.
I'm leaning towards a front wheel bearing but when lifted off the ground there isn't any play of the wheel.
Any suggestions are sincerely welcome

MadMax07SL

In neutral and the hum is still there, I'd have to guess front wheel bearings too, especially that many miles. Do you hear which side it's coming from? The top to bottom pull on the tire to see the wobble is hit and miss. In that if it wobbles yes, bad wheel bearing, but if it doesn't, may still be a bad bearing, just not loose enough to notice.

MadMax07SL

Also, a bad tire could have road hum too...

Chris996

Thanks. Anyway to diagnose the bearing? I suppose I could rotate the tires and see if the noise moves to eliminate the tire.

LtLeary

I am concerned with the "Pinkish" CVT fluid. It should be a light green. Are you sure or is that a typo?

As far as diagnosing the wheel bearing, MadMax provided the "standard test" for a bad bearing. As he said, if that test is good then it is still possible (and likely) that a bearing is bad (the magic number being 40mph)but you tire rotation will help validate.

Lt