What’s the secret to a smooth ride? The design and materials used to make car tires at Sailun. Our tire technology contributes to a quieter, more comfortable driving experience for both passenger and light truck vehicles. Car design has come a long way, not only to ensure better vehicle performance, but also to make the experience of driving enjoyable.
Understanding road noise and vibration
Some drives are noisier than others. That will have to do with the type of vehicle, terrain, and what’s around you. Understanding where road noise and vibration come from helps inform the future of tire technology. A noisy, bumpy ride is the result of multiple factors.
Road surface
Generally, a smooth, paved road will be quieter but only if paired with low traffic and properly inflated tires. Underinflated tires will make for a bumpy ride even if the road is smooth. Naturally, gravelly roads will be louder to drive on.
Engine and transmission
Vehicles have different engine and transmission types. Some work a lot harder than others. It depends on the type of driving and whether or not the vehicle is pulling or carrying a heavy load. The engine is another factor that can add to or reduce noise level.
Aerodynamics
Boxy vehicles aren’t as aerodynamic as slender, sleek vehicles. The larger, square vehicles will have a lot more wind resistance, adding to the noise as the vehicle faces wind. Smaller cars tend not to be as loud (at least in terms of aerodynamics) because the wind will have more opportunity to flow over the vehicle.
Tire technology
Car tires and truck tires make noise differently on the road and for the same reasons. Factors like tread, sidewalls, and tire pressure will affect both types of tire, despite being different sizes and designs.
The biggest contender for noise level is the tread. Noise is created in many ways at the tire level.
- How air travels through treads when driving will affect the noise level. Voids can be placed asymmetrically or symmetrically to affect how sound generates. Tweaks to this part of tire technology can create a more pleasant drive.
- A tread pattern with wide and deep grooves, found on tires meant for off-roading, is generally louder than simpler tread patterns for day-to-day driving.
- The way the tire meets the road, and how the same patch of tire lifts from the road as it rolls forward. For example, placing a piece of tape down might not make any noise, but lifting it will.
- Wider tires with more surface area in contact with the road will make more noise.
- Underinflated tires will morph into grooves and bumps in the road, adding to the noise and vibration level while driving.
- Any debris lodged in the tire will add to the noise level: think rocks, sticks, nails, and any other small piece that can get stuck in the tire treads. Each time the tire completes a full rotation, debris in the tire will hit the road and make a sound.
Reducing road noise while driving
The factors mentioned can reduce noise levels while driving. The average sound level while driving is between fifty-five and seventy decibels—that’s while driving on a standard road with average tires.
For context, a normal conversation is usually held at sixty decibels, a whisper is thirty decibels, and any noises at or above seventy decibels for prolonged periods can begin to damage hearing. Here’s how to address that.
Start by soundproofing the vehicle. Tire noise under the car are amplified by the vehicle’s chassis. Lower-frequency sounds will travel to the vehicle through vibrations. Higher-frequency sounds will travel as waves.
Soundproofing the vehicle can keep these unwanted noises at bay. Look for spaces where sound is likely to pass through, such as cracks, windows, and the vehicle’s floor.
When possible, use quieter tires. Sailun manufactures high-performance truck tires made specifically for different vehicles. So long as you’re not driving through mountains or doing muddy off-roading, a simple tire will do. They’ll have smaller grooves, noise-reducing tread patterns, and less surface area in contact with the road.
Service your car tires and truck tires regularly so you’re always aware of debris caught in the grooves or punctures in the rubber. Regular maintenance will ensure the tire is always in tip-top shape and properly inflated.
Sailun for a more serene ride
Today, people use driving as more than a means of transportation. Driving is sometimes a space for people to catch up, listen to books or music, bond with children in the backseat, or get some space from other noisy parts of life.
For those who spend a lot of time in their vehicles, tire technology advancements are there to make the experience more efficient and enjoyable. Sailun offers high-performing car and truck tires that will reduce noise level in a vehicle and also apply other benefits, such as fuel efficiency and improved safety. Get your next Sailun set for a serene ride.