Help! Can I make my C a little Quieter

Get a running start up them thar hills

New tires may help a bit on the highway, but the C is very good at sipping gas,
but just not sound proofed a lot.'

It will be difficult to rid most of the noise.

What tires on now?

 

Before going up a hill... Try not to drain your HV battery down past 70%. If you do the engine has to charge and drive uphill the same time causing the high RPM= noise.
I try to keep my HV above 70% on a regular basis.

 

Some remove the interior and apply dynamat or the like

 

Not to be harsh but the C falls into the econobox-tin can category like many other cheaper vehicles. Sound deadening material is just one of the things they omit to cut costs. It also saves weight=better fuel economy.

Look into sound matts and also my personal recommendation: stuff home sound insulation batting into every empty space you can (pack-rat style) like behind all plastic panels, spare tire well, liftgate, firewall under dash, etc. You basically have to take the entire interior apart including seats, door and liftgate panels. Sound like fun? It isn't but it does work.

Easier but not cheap fix: research quiet tires. Typically OEM LRR tires can be noisy especially as they get miles on them. I assume @ 24k miles, they are the originals.

Expensive fix: trade for a quiet car like a Camry Hybrid or a plug-in vehicle as those typically get a lot of attention to NVH. Our Clarity is a bank vault compared to most other vehicles I drive.

GOOD LUCK

 

LOL, yes that's the path of least financial pain.

Speaking of audio, adding sound deadening material also makes even a weak stock sound system sound better. Also, check the status of all door gaskets for tears, flattening, etc.,

 

Wind noise is difficult to silence (assume nothing is leaking)
Up hill noise may be the ICE motor accelerating.

Tires may help at a $400, but that is not your posted complaint.

Sound deadening material can be your answer, still with Dynamat products you can spend $100 or $200 on for enough to cover the interior.
I don't have a Home Depot (or like) bargain price substitute product I could recommend.

Trying to isolate the fire wall with Dynamat IMO is challenging, yet that may help reduce motor noise.
Overall road noise (not wind) could be addressed by removing the carpet, lining the floor with Dynamat then reinstalling the carpet.
The side mirrors can be a main source of wind noise, but if they are solidly mounted and no air gaps where they attach to the door, I don't think you have any options.
If you wished to experiment slowly with Dynamat, many remove the door interior trim panels and place DM on the metal of the outer inside of the door's side panel aka the door skin (if I am explaining clearly).

Based on your complaints, I don't like my answer, but they are answers for you to consider.
Good luck.

 

I use noise canceling ear plugs

 

How long have you had the C? Do you think you may get used to the noise?

I am completely oblivious to noise in the C, as I think I have got used to it.
I like to drive with no radio/music so I am in tune with any vehicle noise that I am in.
It is a bit of paranoia I suppose.
Sometimes I will put on music to keep children/passengers happy lol

I hear the engine, the inverter, the brakes (not much there) also the nice
thing is I can be aware of surroundings too for emergency vehicles, pedestrians or other drivers.
This may not be ideal for most drivers or areas.

I am not against anyone that needs music, I just like to be fully focused on driving.
Long trips, yes music is played

 

They sell some cheaper sound deadening stuff on ebay. peel & stick.

It works pretty good at least stops the metal resonance. here's pictures of the hatch area of my G2.

 

A little insulation and a better stereo went a long way in ours. Good luck!

 

Get a regular Prius and install Kilmat