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How to reduce rolling noise with the help of tyres

Tyres louder by 1 decibel mean 26% increase in noise

The noise in the case of tyres is caused by friction and the frequency of vibrations of the tyre and air in it. External rolling noise is a special parameter because the decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit – which in practice means that the noise does not increase linearly with the increase in the decibel intensity. Change in the noise value by only 1 decibel actually means a 26% noise increase in comparison to the lower value. Drivers should remember that the noise increases twice on average every 3 dB.

Noise is a natural phenomenon that will always occur, but there are some noise reducing factors that can improve driving comfort. That is why it is worth investing in brand tyres that have modern soundproofing systems and improve comfort while ensuring the best safety parameters.

Car soundproofing – the same tyre may have a different sound emission level in different cars. A driver driving a less soundproof vehicle will experience more noise. A well-soundproof car with tyres with low external rolling noise will be definitely quieter.
Adequate tyre pressure – Noise, less grip, longer braking distances, faster tyre wear and an increased risk of breakage - these are just some of the consequences of improper tyre pressure. Tyres under-inflated by 0.5 bar are 3 dB louder and extend the braking distance by 4 meters! Please note that there is not one optimal pressure value for all tyres in all vehicles. It is the car manufacturer who determines what pressure is correct for a given car or engine model. Therefore, the correct pressure values can be found in the user manual or on the labels at the bottom of the central pillar.
Quality of tyres – low quality tyres generate much more noise. It is not true that winter tyres are louder than all-season tyres or summer tyres – brand name winter tyres have the same loudness as good summer tyres.

– Leading manufacturers use soundproofing technology, which involves placing additional layers inside the tyre. Their task is to reduce the level of air vibrations inside the tyres. We encourage all drivers to read labels when choosing tyres – thanks to their help, it is much easier to make a good choice when dealing with a wide range of tyres on the market. It is not difficult to make a bad decision and then regret it for several years. Knowledge about tyres and their properties is the basis for conscious choice. It is always worth consulting an expert in the car service, but the individual awareness of each driver is also important. Tyres transfer the power and strength of the car and the efficiency of the brakes onto the road. The right choice of tyres means minimizing the danger for all drivers and increasing driving comfort – points out Piotr Sarnecki, Director General of the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PTIA).

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Labels – important data for drivers

From November 1, 2012, tyres sold in countries belonging to the European Union must come with appropriate labels. Reading information on the label is not difficult and the data on it is extremely important for every driver. On each brand new tyre there is a label with information on its 3 parameters:

Fuel efficiency – determined by the coefficient of rolling resistance of the tyre. It is expressed in classes A to G, where A is the most economical tyre.
Grip on wet roads – informs you of the braking distance of the car on the wet surface. Class A means that the tyre model has the shortest braking distance.
External rolling noise – the value of a given tyre expressed in decibels.

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Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association