How to Reduce Noise From Tyres?
Imagine driving down the highway on a personal trip. You have booked yourself a lovely place outside the city to escape the busy life. You are looking for a peaceful, noise-free weekend. But while driving, you feel irritated from the continuous noise that your car is producing. At times, the sound becomes deafening. It starts to affect your mood.
You begin to think that the car may have developed a fault. You find the nearest mechanic . You tell him about the whole ordeal and ask him to conduct a full check-up of your vehicle. After a short while, the mechanic comes back. He says that there is nothing wrong with your car.
You give him a confused look and ask him about the noise. He informs you that the sound is coming from the tyres, which in many cases is quite natural. Nevertheless, noisy tires can be very distracting, especially if you are someone who wants to enjoy a long and smooth drive. But do not worry because there is a solution that you can opt for.
In this article, we will be discussing various ways through which you can reduce the noise coming from the tyres. Now before moving towards the part where PitStopArabia tells you how to reduce tire noise, let us first discuss a bit about why this noise exists in the first place. Is it something to worry about or not?
Tire Noise?
You see if we talk about the exterior noise, there are a lot of things that are responsible for it. Starting from the transmission, wind, engine, suspension, and road texture, all of these factors matter. But if the mechanic ensures that the noise is not due to them, the chances are that the tyres are responsible for the sound.
Tire noise usually comes from the air chamber inside the tyre. For those who do not know, the space inside a tire is all empty, just like a drum. Now when the tire rolls on the road, there is vibration and that vibration causes a low-frequency hum. In a nutshell, that is the first source of the sound that you usually hear when you drive on the road.
Not only this the tread pattern and the airflow is also responsible for the noise. Harmonic noise is produced when you have got tires with tread blocks that are uniformly shaped. Different tread patterns produce various kinds of noise at different pitches. On the other hand, you should know that tires with tall tread blocks can create more sound just like a tractor tire. They squirm a little more, and that is what causes more noise.
Tires Ranked from Quietest to Noisiest
Well, whatever the reason for the tire noise, it is time to discuss ways to reduce this unpleasant sound.
10 Top Tips That Can Help Reduce the Tire Noise
Here are some tips that can help you lower the noise of the tires and enjoy a smooth and quiet ride.
1. Wheel Size
It is a simple rule that you should know that the bigger the tire, the more noise it will produce. For example, an 18-inch wheel will create more noise than a 15-inch wheel. It also happens due to the height of the tire. What you are supposed to do is to find a tire that's per the size of your car. You must find a balance between your car's visuals, the tires and the sound they produced.
2. Tire Width
Opt for a narrow tire for less noise. The lesser the contact patch less will be the noise. Now it is not that we are asking you to head to the market and buy the narrowest possible tire you should check the user manual and see the dimensions of the tire that are recommended by your manufacturer.
It is not only the reduced noise which the small contact is responsible for. Instead, it also improves the overall performance of your car as well. How? The smaller contact patch means there will be less friction acting on the tyres.
3. Weather Conditions
There are tires for each weather. Make sure that you are using the Best noise-reduced tyres recommended for each season. You cannot use summer tyres in winter months (temperatures below 7° C). The tyres will likely produce extra noise. Likewise, do not use winter tyres in summer. Not only will you end up damaging the tyres, but you may also be exposing yourself to unnecessary noise.
Moreover, there are tyres which will produce noise because they are made like that. Mostly, winter tyres are noisier than summer tires because of the extra safety features in them. Likewise, off-road tyres are noisier than the ones made for simple city driving.
4. Replace the Door Seal
Another way to reduce tire noise from coming into the passenger cabin is by replacing the door seals. Over time, the seal between the door and the frame can be worn down. It will lead to more exterior noise coming into the passenger cabin. Therefore, ensure that the seals are not worn down. You can add an extra seal or a better quality one. It will help reduce some of the noise.
5. Soundproof Passenger Cabin’s Floor
Another way to reduce noise is to soundproof the floor. It can be done by installing mats that are thicker and offer better soundproofing qualities. Although it will cost you a little money, it is well worth your comfort!
6. Soundproof the Doors
Just as the cabin floor can be soundproofed, so can the doors. Soundproofing material will be added in between the frame and the panel. It will prevent exterior noise from coming into the car.
7. Buy Quieter Tyres
The tire tech has advanced considerably. Manufacturers understand the importance of a safe and comfortable drive. Top manufacturers have incorporated innovative technologies into tyres. It makes them a lot safer and quieter. ContiSilent™ is an example of technology used to make tyres quieter. It is a trademark of Continental Tires.
8. Correct Inflation Pressure
Ensure that all the tyres are correctly inflated. Underinflated or even overinflated tyres are responsible for creating noise too. The proper inflation pressure is mentioned on the tyre placard which we have discussed in detail before.
9. Tire Rotation
As mentioned before, tyres need to be rotated regularly to ensure durability and performance. In case you have forgotten to rotate the tires, they will start producing noise as well.
10. Tire Alignment
Ensuring Proper Contact for Reduced Tire NoiseOne of the most important factors in reducing tire noise is proper tire alignment. When your tires are not properly aligned, they may produce uneven wear, which can lead to increased noise levels. By ensuring that your tires are aligned correctly, you can help ensure that they make proper contact with the road surface, reducing noise and improving overall handling and performance. Be sure to have your alignment checked regularly, especially if you notice any signs of uneven wear or noise coming from your tires..
Final Thoughts
These are some of the best tips that can help you control and reduce the irritating tire noise. Using the tips, we mentioned above, PitStopArabia promises you with smoother and quieter drives.