Cabin noise: road noise or vibration?

After having my car for 3 months, I don't think there's anything extra you need to do. The car is quiet on and off the highway.

 

I've been thinking of buying some of this stuff to install in the doors and under the carpeting:

Soundproofing & Noise Control Materiels Prices

 

Did you ever do anything one way or the other, deltron? I have the same issue and would like to know the most cost-effective solution. I came from a much quieter car, and the noise isolation in the Prius reminds me of my first Ford Escort in 1984 - road noise at speed.

 

deltron3030 - I am not sure where Lakewood CA is, but one issue is California's concrete roads. Several years ago I drove my truck to Santa Barbara via Barstow and Palmdale, and the concrete roads were most distracting. The road noise, the constant thump and uneven surface was terrible. It was a pleasure to return to asphalt surfaces.

I have not driven my G3 to California, but here in Utah, I do not find the noise objectionable. I do not drive over 70 mph, and that may be a factor.

Keep us posted on success with insulation. It is not such a big issue with me right now, but I suspect many are interested.

 

Concrete is definitely a huge factor. I live in LA, but have family in Phoenix. Whenever I drive in Phoenix I'm shocked how much quieter my car is.

 

I don't know if this could be a factor, but you might look at the tires and see if there are ones that are quieter for the G3 Prius. I remember seeing some discussions about this on the main board at some point.

 

Install a good quality high power audio system and you will not hear any road noise, that's what I did.

 

I commute 70 miles/day on Los Angeles freeways. I beg to differ with posters that feel the car is "quiet." A current model Honda Civic is a Lexus is comparison to my Prius V. The lower profile tires certainly contribute to noise and rattles, but the car could use a little more engineering in the NVH department. It is possible to engineer-out more of the noise many of us notice in our Gen III cars. If you tap a door panel from outside, it is quite apparent that a more effective sound-deadening coating applied to the inside of the door sheet metal could help without a huge weight penalty. The "bridge" connection to the center console is a frequently-noted source point of squeaking; if I push a finger in between this junction while driving I can stop the squeaking. A "gasket" at this joint could reduce or eliminate this common squeak. I am pleased so far with what I purchased this car for: maximum efficiency. However, compared to other economy cars, I am not overly happy with the amount of squeaks and rattles I have.

 

one might also look at fatmat for noise deadening. I will be getting some for the spare tire area and will pass on what I find

 

I have the Yokohama Avid OEM tires and the noise that I hear at highway speeds is definitely tire noise. When I change from an older pavement to a newly paved road or other smooth surface, the cabin noise that I hear go almost to nothing.

I also have to change the radio volume up and down when I go from city driving to highway driving and vice versa. But when I hit a newly paved section of road on a highway I can definitely turn the volume back down.

Others on here have said that when they changed from OEM tires to better tires such as Michelin they have noticed a definite decrease in tire and cabin noise.

 

My only complaint seems to be the wind noise from upper rear molding on the front door windows. I can pull the door or insulation inward and the whistling stops. I have thought about purchasing a small thin rubber to push between the windows molding.

Has anyone had any luck taking their new Prius to dealer and have wind noise improved? What does the dealer do, bend the top back of the door inward? (ouch)

Thank You

Michael

 

I went from driving a 2006 Infiniti M45 to the Gen III Prius.
I was shocked at how much road noise there was. The doors sounded hollow. I was considering ordering a Dynomat Kit for the doors. Then I visited a stereo shop and decided to spend a few extra dollars and have them do it. I did this mainly because they use a roll and completely cover the inside of the door panel.
Now I am quite happy with how much quieter my cars is and the bonus is, my stereo sounds even better.

 

I think Fatmat or similar over all four wheelwell areas would cut down most road noise. The noise does indeed seem to come from the tires as evidenced by the dramatic concrete to smooth asphalt quietness change. I need to get that factory manual and see how much work it is.

 

Dman, do you mind sharing how much such a job cost? I was considering having a stereo shop do this as well, but didn't want to get robbed.

 

Has anyone gone to Michelin Primacy tires? They are specifically made to cut down road noise. Was there a trade off in mileage? I will be getting these when it is time for new tires based on my great experience with them for noise and handling.

 

I have the Michelin Primacy HP 17" stock - the first few days driving in them I could hear and feel *everything* on the road. Roads are made of tarmak in Germany and very flat.
I have now Dunlop winter tires and, like all winter tires, they are more noisy but not as wide and therefor the noise generated by the tires is equivalent.

That said, you have 3 sources of noise: wind, tires, road.
I would say that the Prius is optimised, compared to costs and weight reductions, for mid-slow speeds (no more than 65mph) - anything beyond that and it becomes "noisy" due to the engine and the wind, not rolling, IMO.
Below 65mph, most of the noise comes from rolling instead. So with 17" tires, is certainly more noisy that 15" - but I didn't get 17" wheels for noise comfort, in the same way I was not expecting a Lexus, which is certainly quieter, but weighs much more and/or costs more due to the use of better/more soundproof material.

I personally find the Prius to be "quiet", much more than my previous car (a VW TDI diesel from 2002) and quieter than most gasoline/diesel 20-25k€ priced cars.

As for squeaks - the only thing I get so far is in winter, the squeak from the middle console connection to the middle arm rest. The plastic changes it's flexibility properties at low temperatures, for what I could ascertain so far, and squeaks when it is brushed against itself (i.e. at a junction) due to a minimum movement of the parts.
That said, I have been lucky so far in the compartment of rattles and squeaks... My Prius is from Sep. 2009 (don't know when it was built though).

 

I had considered going to 17" wheels, but I quickly came to understand the noise reducing function of the bigger sidewalls on the 15" tires. Tire pressure, of course, is a big part of the equation as well. Coming from quieter cars, I consider the Prius to be a noisier car, however.

The local audio shop says they can do the job on the doors and floor for abour US$600 in a day. How do you think this compares with the DIY route? I have worked on cars professionally, but don't like to do it if I can get away with it.

 

Check out this thread
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...90-noise-control-sound-vibration-damping.html