Can an Engine Guard Reduce Noise?
2 Answers
An engine guard cannot reduce noise. Methods to reduce car noise: Reducing road noise: Road noise is caused by the friction between tires and the road surface, which generates vibrations and noise. Therefore, vibration damping is the most effective method. Comprehensive installation of damping plates, specialized damping boards, sound-absorbing mats, and door sealing strips on the wheel arches, floor, and doors can address road noise from three sources: vibration damping, sound absorption, and sound insulation. Methods to reduce car noise: Reducing wind noise: Wind noise is primarily generated by the friction between the car body and air during driving and enters the cabin through door gaps. To mitigate this, first remove the door inner panels, clean any dirt inside the doors, and install soundproofing materials, vibration-damping materials, and sound-absorbing materials. These materials should be adhered to the inner door surfaces, with reflective materials fully applied to the inner panels. Additionally, sealant materials should be applied around speakers and mounting plates. Methods to reduce car noise: Reducing engine noise: Engine noise mainly enters the cabin through vibrations from the hood and front fenders. Installing high-quality sound-absorbing foam materials on the engine hood can effectively suppress vibrations and absorb a significant amount of noise, providing noticeable results.
I had an engine guard installed on my previous car mainly to protect the engine bay from road debris. To my surprise, after installation, the noise actually felt a bit reduced, especially the rumbling sound coming up from the chassis. The guard can isolate some vibrations and noise, making the engine bay noise less directly transmitted into the cabin and the ground. However, this effect is limited—the primary function of the guard is still impact and dust protection, with noise reduction being an added bonus. If you often drive on rough roads or highways, it might be worth considering installing one, preferably a lightweight resin material for better sound absorption. For daily city driving, the noise reduction isn’t significant, as most of the car’s noise comes from the exhaust and fans. Overall, spending a small amount for peace of mind and slight noise reduction was worth it.
