Why is there so much noise in my vehicle?
There are several reasons why the noise level in a vehicle might be
high. In some automobiles, the manufacturer just didn't add enough
noise control material, leading to higher noise levels in the vehicle.
In older cars, your exhaust system or muffler might be at fault causing
extra noise inside the automobile. In some cases, people will modify
their engine or exhaust system, and they will cause the noise themselves.
And finally, the tires that you have installed on your vehicle may be adding
to the noise inside your vehicle. All of these problems can be addressed to
reduce the noise level inside your car, truck, van or SUV.
So what can be done about the noise?
Once you have determined that the noise is a problem inside your
automobile, you can start to identify what should be done to reduce
the noise.
- First of all, if there are any mechanical problems with your
engine, exhaust system or muffler, those problems should be addressed.
Covering up the symptoms of mechanical problems is never a good idea.
If there is a problem with your exhaust system or muffler, you could
have exhaust fumes leaking into the passenger area. This problem
should not be ignored or covered!
- If your tires are causing the noise inside of your vehicle, you can
obviously replace them with a better set. This of course can get
expensive and if you have recently installed the tires, would be a
waste of a good set of tires.
- The best way to reduce the noise inside your vehicle is to use a
product such as Dynamat, Hushmat or STP Silver to cover
the entire inside of your automobile. This will require removing the
seats, carpet and door panels to cover the entire inside of the body.
These products are typically made of Butyl Rubber, and are installed
by peeling and sticking the material directly to the sheet metal of the
floor, doors or any other desierd surface.
- As an alternative for those with a lower budget, you can buy a
foil faced, heat and sound insulation that will work as a padding
for under your carpet (Here is an example
Heat/Sound Insulation).
Most of your noise should be coming from the road and the firewall, so
those will be the most important places to insulate. This will require
only removing the seats and carpet, and will be a little easier to
install than Dynamat. This insulation can be laid on the floor with the
foil side up, and the carpet can be installed over it. The insulation will
not only reduce the noise level coming from the road, but also
reduce heat as well.
Once you have addressed any mechanical problems, and added the
sound insulation, your noise problems should be under control.
Having a quiet vehicle will improve your driving experience and
help you to enjoy your automobile for years to come!
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