How to Solve Excessive Tire Noise?
4 Answers
Tire noise can be addressed through the following methods: 1. Remove debris such as stones stuck in the tire treads, as this significantly helps reduce tire noise. Particularly, larger stones lodged in the treads can cause substantial noise when rubbing against the road surface. 2. Cleaning the tires also contributes to noise reduction. If the tire noise is excessive, washing the tires can help diminish the noise. 3. If tire noise is too loud, performing a dynamic balance on the tires may also be beneficial. 4. For vehicles with high mileage, getting a four-wheel alignment can help. 5. Maintain proper tire pressure. Both overinflation and underinflation can lead to increased tire noise.
Don't panic about loud tire noise, I usually start with the simplest solutions. First, check the tire pressure - both underinflation and overinflation can increase noise and wear. Use a pressure gauge to measure, with recommended values found on the label by the car door. Then inspect tire wear by inserting a coin into the tread grooves - if too much of the coin is visible, it indicates severe wear requiring replacement. Switching to quiet tires is crucial, with certain models from Michelin or Goodyear specifically designed for noise reduction. If tires are normal, it might be road surface or suspension issues - take it to a shop for mechanics to check shock absorbers and wheel bearings, repairing any problems promptly. Avoid curbing tires when parking to prevent accelerated aging. Last time I changed to new tires, the noise reduced significantly, making the ride so quiet I wanted to hum a tune.
If the tire noise is loud, I would focus on the structure and material of the tire itself. If the tread design of regular tires is too hard, it will produce a humming sound when rolling. Silent tires have special rubber compounds and sound-absorbing foam layers that can reduce vibration and noise. When choosing tires, check the parameters and look for those with low rolling resistance and a 'Silence' label. Additionally, if the tire dynamic balance is not done properly, the wheel imbalance will cause abnormal noises, which are more noticeable at high speeds. Regular dynamic balancing and four-wheel alignment can improve this. Tire installation should not be careless either; old or mismatched wheel hub screws that are loose can also increase noise. My experience is to check every six months. If the tires are old and have many cracks, they should be replaced. Don’t go for cheap, no-name tires. I switched to a Giti silent tire and felt that conversations inside the car became clearer.
To reduce tire noise at a low cost, start with daily maintenance. First, ensure the tire pressure is correct—both overinflation and underinflation are bad. Refer to the manual for proper inflation. Excessive tire wear is a major cause; if the tread depth is below 1.6mm, it's time to replace them. Opt for budget-friendly quiet tires like Bridgestone to save money. If the noise is new, check for small stones stuck in the tread and remove them. Don't forget to rotate the tires (front to back) every 8,000 km to balance wear and reduce noise. Driving smoothly also helps—maintaining a steady speed is better than sudden acceleration. If the noise is loud, inspect the trunk or door seals for aging; adding inexpensive weatherstripping can help dampen noise. After doing this, my long drives became much more comfortable.
