Tires: tires Honda CR-V, cv joints, target value

Question
I have a 1998 Honda Cr-v with Michelin Harmony P205/70 R 15 95S on all four.  The tires were placed on the car 1/13/2005.  The mileage at the time was 86,251.  My present mileage is 149,000.  The car makes a roaring sound (only in the last 6 months)and my mechanic says it is my tires.  The tires are visually good and do not need to be replaced yet.  My mechanic says to just wait until the tires are in need of replacement.  I am having trouble tolerating the loud sound in the interior of the car.  It becomes louder as you accelerate.  Can you shed some light?
Thanks,
Beth

Answer
Beth,

There are a number of things that make noise as you roll, and tires is just one of them.  So let's confirm it's the tires and not something else.

Does the noise change when you change pavements - like going from asphalt to concrete?

If not, it's not the tires and could possibly be CV joints.

If so, then it is likely tires and the cause is probably irregular wear.

Irregular wear is caused by misalignment and aggravated by insufficient inflation pressure and insufficient rotation practices.

My experience says that the published alignment tolerances are too wide.  Not the target value, but the allowable deviation from that value.  I think it ought to be half of what is published.

Put another way, the alignment should be within the inner half of the spec.

You should be aware that even vehicles that do not have a pull can be out of alignment.  There are settings where one out of spec condition is offset by another out of spec condition – typically camber vs toe.