Want to learn how to reduce road noise in car?
Well, stick to the very end as I will show you different methods for making your car quieter.
Reducing noise in your car involves a wide range of activities, and in most cases, it could call for professional intervention.
And just like soundproofing a generator, you will first need to deal with the muffler noise.
I have a full guide that will enable you to sound deaden a muffler for your generator or car.
Alternatively, you could opt for a quiet performance muffler– it will make your rides quieter and allow you to abide by muffler laws in different states.
A-List of Ways on How to Reduce Road Noise in Car
There are three sources of noise inside the cabin of your car- they include noise from vehicle mechanical components, tires, and road conditions.
Assuming that your vehicle is mechanically sound, the noise you hear when inside your car comes from the road or the tires.
Tires with larger treads tend to produce more noise than smaller treaded tires.
Road Conditions
If you live in rural areas where the roads are unpaved or often travel in roads with countless potholes, you probably deal with more road noise than those driving in tarmacked and paved roads.
Tire Quality and Tread
How old are your tires, and what kind of tires are they?
The type of tires that you have and tire alignment are two major important factors to consider when soundproofing your car against road noise.
There are a major component that shouldn’t go unchecked in dealing with road noise in the car. They include car floors and doors.
Road Noise through the Doors
Road noise as a result of rattling doors not only affects old cars but new ones as well.
95% of the time, the problem translates to something wrong with the door.
Below is a checklist to help you inspect the problem.
- First, tap the bottom of your car door panel using a tool. Well, if you hear rattles, then there’s a loose bolt or nut in there, and so you have to fix the problem.
- Inspect the doors for any misalignment- the hinged surfaces should be flush. Get a professional to help or use your car owner’s manual to get started DIY.
- Tap the window gently and see if it vibrates. If it does, then the weatherstripping material is worn out and needs repair or replacement.
- The car door needs additional heat and sound insulation material. In most cases, the manufacturers tend to skip the process to save money. Adding soundproofing materials such as Dynamat, Kilmat, SoundSkins will help prevent road noise in the car.
I would also recommend checking the door seal. These are weatherstrips attached to the exterior perimeter of your car door for airtight seal with your car’s body.
Road Noise from the Floor Board and Tires
All tires, whether smooth treaded or rough treaded, create noise.
However, the amount highly depends on the make and model of your car and what sort of background noise you consider loud.
To get rid of road noise from the tires, I would recommend you to invest in quiet tires- smooth tread ones are perfect- a good example is Michelin Primacy MXV4 Radial Tire.
Alternatively, there’s no need to replace your existing tires.
All you have to do is apply a layer of Spray on Sound Deadener on the inside of your car tires to help kill road noise and reduce vibrations.
For the road noise leaking through the floorboard, it’s recommended you invest in a good soundproofing mat.
This will create a noise barrier. A good recommended material is Luxury Liner Pro.
Deal with The Cupholders
Hollow spaces in your car facilitate or, at times, feel like they amplify road noise inside your vehicle.
You’d be surprised by the amount of noise you’re able to reduce by simply adding sound insulation material around the hollow space in the cup holders.
You can soundproof the cup holders using soundproofing material such as acoustic foam panels.
Vehicles with the Most Road Noise?
Compact cars or lower-priced cars have less insulation as compared to high-end models.
Therefore, you will experience more road noise and, in some other cases, more wind noise as well.
Volkswagen beetle is a hell of a car with unending road noise as the manufacturer skimp car soundproofing to make the car lighter.
So, if you own a compact car and want to reduce road or wind noise, then soundproofing it is a worthy investment.
Performance and luxury cars- most luxury cars are fitted with effective soundproofing materials, including acoustic glass.
On the other hand, performance cars are not equipped with soundproofing materials to make the car lighter, hence improving speeds.
Trucks and SUV suffer more wind noise than road noise.
This is because they are less aerodynamic hence create more drag.
However, you will still experience road noise due to oversized tires and a bigger frame pose.
You might need to get a professional to help source suitable soundproofing materials and get the project done appropriately.
Sprinter vans and semi-trucks are loud even though new models have been designed with soundproofing in mind.
Final Thoughts on How to Reduce Road Noise in Car
Above are some of the best ways on how to reduce road noise in the car.
As we’ve seen already, tires, doors and the car floor area are the biggest culprits in allowing road noise in the car.
You have to properly sound deaden them to prevent road noise and wind noise, and traffic noise.
Additionally, when replacing the tires, check on the threads and ensure that you add multiple layers of soundproofing material to the tire’s inside area.