What are the causes of tire noise?
3 Answers
Tire noise can be caused by: 1. Tire tread design, including the arrangement of tread pitch, the direction and depth of tread grooves; 2. Tire vibration noise caused by vibrations in the tire body and tread parts; 3. Road noise due to uneven road surfaces; 4. Tire material being too hard. Methods to reduce tire noise include: 1. Adjusting tire pressure to a moderate level; 2. Implementing vibration damping, sound insulation, sound absorption, and buffering in three major areas: the chassis, fenders, and wheel arches; 3. Replacing tires with quiet-type tires; 4. Choosing smooth road surfaces while driving to effectively reduce friction between the tires and the ground, thereby lowering tire noise.
I drive to and from work every day and often encounter tire noise issues, with uneven tire wear being the most common cause. For example, after my car had run 50,000 kilometers, the front tires were significantly more worn than the rear ones, and the shallow tread pattern produced a humming noise on the highway, which sounded particularly loud. There's also the issue of tire pressure: the last time I checked, the front tires were underinflated, causing increased deformation and friction, which raised the noise level; overinflation has the same effect, making the tires too rigid against the road surface. I've also noticed tire aging: after a few years, the rubber hardens, reducing grip and increasing noise. If there are many small stones stuck in the tread or issues with the suspension system, such as loose shock absorbers, the noise becomes more noticeable. It's advisable to regularly check tire conditions, perform tire rotation to balance wear, maintain proper tire pressure, and replace or repair tires when noise becomes excessive, ensuring a quieter and safer drive.
As a young person who recently bought a car, I'm quite sensitive to tire noise and always worry about potential issues. Common causes include incompatible tire models: for example, my family's economy car was fitted with off-road tires, which have deep treads and produce loud noise. After switching to quiet tires, the situation improved significantly. Another issue is improper tire installation; last time, the wheel alignment wasn't done properly, causing eccentric wear on the tires, resulting in rattling noises while driving. Additionally, abnormal tire pressure can be a factor—when the pressure is too low, the tires become soft and have a larger contact area, leading to higher noise levels, which reduces slightly when the pressure is increased. I've used a mobile app to measure noise variations and found that in cold weather, rubber hardens and noise increases, while in summer heat, tires soften a bit. For maintenance, I've developed a habit: checking tire pressure monthly and getting a professional tire inspection every six months. This helps avoid minor issues affecting driving enjoyment, extends tire lifespan, and saves on repair costs.
