This is an eighteen month old car, for reference, 11, 000 miles. Mostly suburban mom driving.

This morning, I drove over the railroad tracks (everybody has to, it's a railroad crossing in the street). One of the driver side tires made a long pong noise (like if you threw a basketball full force at a solid object). After that, it is making a clicking noise at the same speed the car is moving, constantly, whether straight or turning. No warning lights, no visible damage to the tires. Seems to be driver's side but I cannot tell if front or back. A visible inspection of what I can see laying on my driveway doesn't reveal anything obviously wrong, but I assume that something is rubbing the tire that shouldn't be?

Give me an idea of what I'm looking at, so I'm not totally stupid at the dealership? Car is still WAY within warranty, and I have a stupid intermittant a/c problem that they can't fix already.

 

maybe something is lodged between the tires thread. that sometimes causes a clicking noise. thats all i can think of.

 

Hmmm...maybe I should go back out and inspect the tires some more, but all I saw the last time was some tiny rocks.

 

if they stick out past the threads then that might be it. just dislodge it and drive it around. hopefully thats your problem.

 

I took the flashlight out with me and looked closer. Spotted a nailhead toward the inside edge of the tire. Took it to the tire shop (after getting the spare put on because by this time it was nearly completely flat). It was a six inch metal screw. I don't know how I didn't blow a tire completely this morning going over the railroad tracks, but I'm glad I didn't.

So thank you very much, you were absolutely correct.