Factory Tires and Road Noise

I noticed some rain splash noise in very heavy rain on the rear wheel wells. Wonder if spraying the wells with something would help?

 

I don't know.
There are different tires that come as OEM tires. So what brand do you have?

I'm NOT saying this is true, but it was a discussion I had a few years back with a tire guy.

I told him I wanted a tire that would help with road noise.

He told me he never sold a tire to a customer with any claims of it helping with road noise, because too often they simply do not.
That in his opinion the road noise was primarily created by the surfaces you are driving on, and the sound deadening capabilities of the vehicle itself.

He saw too many customers buying tires that claim to help with sound deadening or road noise, and then either be disappointed or become disappointed when that "benefit" faded.

Honestly? I don't know if I totally agree with this. I tend to think tire manufacturers can and do design tires that can help reduce road noise.
But I think I do agree, that the road noise most of us hear, has more to do with the overall sound deadening properties of the vehicle itself as opposed to the tread on the pavement.

I've never owned a vehicle that's hallmark was suppose to be cathedral like silence, so I guess I've just learned to live with road noise...as white noise. Doesn't bother me too much one way or another.

 

Perfectly describes our Rolls Royce

 

@edthefox5 just insulated his gen 2 with some lightweight stuff, and says it has made a big difference.

 

Yes, I'm curious about how the Toyo tires will perform in the rain.... if we ever get any! During my high-speed test yesterday, driving at 75-80 mph for an extended period, the cabin noise gets so loud that my ears start ringing.... and they are still ringing today! If I ever have to take a long road trip, I think I will just wear ear plugs.

(Gotta keep telling myself... Shut up! Don't gripe! You're getting 60 mpg! Who cares if you're deaf!! )

 

That 1985 Sedan Deville was to die in.

 

A month after getting my car and the noise doing my head in, I decided to check my tyre pressures. They are supposed to be 32 all round, but were actually closer to 38.

I took air out to get them down to 32, and after taking it out for a 30 mile round trip, including city and highway up to 70mph;
a) Car needs more gas to get going
b) MPG on display 'appeared' to be lower than before on similar trips
c) Much more stable and planted at speed. Felt a tad floaty before.
d) Much better ride over speed bumps (less bouncy)
e) Road noise appeared to be far less than before

 

42 is the answer to the ultimate question.

I ran 51 in the Hondas and 44 for years in the Prius. 42 is fine but an acquired taste like a dry red.

Be advised lower pressure will cause your tires to wear faster so it is a compromise like all things in life.

Might be a gorgeous girl with the brain the size of a peanut.

 

Are tire pressure stipulations getting outa control? I can see 17" tire pressures being lower, but there seems to be design-by-committee going on with all these 15" pressures, and the front/rear differences. I'd vote for 36 psi all around, for 17", similar except 40 for the 15". This is from the Canadian Owners Manual, might be applicable for all North America?

 

Are tire pressure stipulations getting outa control? I can see 17" tire pressures being lower, but there seems to be design-by-committee going on with all these 15" pressures, and the front/rear differences. I'd vote for 36 psi all around, for 17", similar except 40 for the 15". This is from the Canadian Owners Manual, might be applicable for all North America?

 

I find the ticking of the clock in the Rolls very comforting.

 

I had mine up at 37 psi initially but looking at the treadwear, the rears were not contacting the road on the edge of the tread as much as the fronts, I dropped the rears to 32 psi and the fronts to 35 psi. I now have even treadwear and the car seems quieter on the rougher roads.

 

Noted. I'm quite happy with the way the car drives now, surely there must be valid reasons why Toyota stipulate 32 all round for my model?

 

Chart:
Can someone explain please, what is the difference between a Type A 15" tire, and a Type B 15" tire?
They are the exact same size... so why different air pressures?

 

Seems like the presence/absence of a spare, is a factor. And I suspect temp spare vs full size spare too, but I'm getting dizzy.

 

Type A is 89S while type B is 91H
The number determines the maximum allowed load for the tire (89 is 1279 pounds, 91 is 1356 pounds) while letter determines maximum speed (S is 112 mph, H is 130 mph)

 

If you got 15" tires, and I got 15" tires, and they are the exact same size 195/65R/15... why do yours require 32 PSI all around, but mine require 36/35 PSI?

And the Two ECO, has the exact same Toyo tires as my Three model... 195/65R/15... but the PSI for them is 39/36!

Man, talk about confusing! I'm going to inflate my tires to 39/36, and tell everybody I have a "ECO" Prius!

 

Thanks, booke.

Why not just make it simple, and put the 91H on all cars with 15" tires.

 

Type B has a different sized spare tyre.

I'm assuming it's because I have a full size spare, and you don't