Road noise. Tires?

[vwbrvr6]

Well, I have just conducted a very un-scientific study on the cabin noise levels in the Passat. I downloaded a cool free decibel reader app on my Ipad. I compared the decibel readings from my Passat and my Civic at 40, 50, 60, and 70 mph and here are the results.

MPH Passat Civic
40 68db 72db
50 70db 78db
60 71db 74db
70 73db 78db

peak db 86 95

My only explaniation of why the civic went down at 60mph is that at 50mph there seemed to be a lot of road noise, then at 60 it quieted down and then the wind noise took over at 70.

Both cars were taken on the same route with the same speeds in the same part of the road.
The peak decibel reading were on a rough surface of the road.

The Passat has the continental tires.

Conclusion, The Passat with the continental tires is very quiet and as the speed increases the elevated noise levels come from wind noise and still remains relatively quiet. The Honda is a soup can on wheels. lol

[MUG318]

Well, I have just conducted a very un-scientific study on the cabin noise levels in the Passat. I downloaded a cool free decibel reader app on my Ipad. I compared the decibel readings from my Passat and my Civic at 40, 50, 60, and 70 mph and here are the results.

MPH Passat Civic
40 68db 72db
50 70db 78db
60 71db 74db
70 73db 78db

peak db 86 95

My only explaniation of why the civic went down at 60mph is that at 50mph there seemed to be a lot of road noise, then at 60 it quieted down and then the wind noise took over at 70.

Both cars were taken on the same route with the same speeds in the same part of the road.
The peak decibel reading were on a rough surface of the road.

The Passat has the continental tires.

Conclusion, The Passat with the continental tires is very quiet and as the speed increases the elevated noise levels come from wind noise and still remains relatively quiet. The Honda is a soup can on wheels. lol

It's about time... This is a lot more scientific than what has previously been presented like "It's a lot more noisy than my GMC dualie." I was wondering when someone with a smartphone, or tablet would do this. Now if someone could do the same with a Passat with the infamous Hankook tires we'd be getting somewhere.

[ixlr08]

It's about time... This is a lot more scientific than what has previously been presented like "It's a lot more noisy than my GMC dualie." I was wondering when someone with a smartphone, or tablet would do this. Now if someone could do the same with a Passat with the infamous Hankook tires we'd be getting somewhere.

I agree, only issue is the noise from the Hankooks are VERY road surface dependent. When I drive on smooth freshly paved roads... the only thing I hear is the wind over the mirror. On an older road the tires are so noisy that I can hardly hear the radio. I have been driving the same route for 10 years, with my 02 Golf with Conti tires on it. The old Golf, with 262,000 miles on it, from a tire noise persective is much quieter than my Passat with 1400 miles on it on the same roads.

[BillyA]

I would make a bet it's the tires, there have been threads before and if you look at tire rack the rating for the Hank. tires are very low for noise.... (meaning bad).

I wish I would have know before I did buy, but on the road tests, it seem much more quite than the GLI I compared it too... I might call VW just to make a comment and see what happens, but I will probably switch out to contis or good year asymetrics when I get a chance.

And the observations are true, on some surfaces the Hank. tires are fine, but switch to concrete and it's noisy.

-b

[ColoradoDriver]

It helps a lot to use 32 or 33 psi in the all the tires. Much less noise.

[shadowraya]

Mine are the infamous Hankook tires...

[Lance B]

I have a B7 V6 Passat Wagon here in Australia and they come with Continental ContiSportContact 5 and they are amazingly quiet, much better than the Pirelli P Zero's I had on my R36 Wagon.

[passsattdi]

Do any of you feel there is excessive road noise on the highway?
(not wind noise)

Seems as though it can be worse depending on the surface. (duh) Comparing the B7 to the wife's Q5 is painful. Heck, even my MKVI GTI was silent compared to this.

What do you all is a good fix?

Tires? If so, what would be a good upgrade? The P Zero Neros on the GTI seemed pretty good. I'm new to car tires. Long time Jeeper.

Dynamat under all carpet?

Thanks in advance!

Seems as though if you rotate tires front to back, the tires get noisy. I rotated mine in the old X pattern and they are not as bad. Blocks get pronounced. The more they wear unevenly the worse it will get. Read this on the tire rack. Still does not get rid of the whistling on concrete, but bearable.

[markitzero]

I did a little informal test this morning to measure road noise. Using my sound level meter (weighted to A) I measured road noise at 60 mph, windows up, climate control off, radio off, hand held and pointing slightly upward about 18" from the radio. Rough pavement hovered around 72 dba, fresh asphalt sections of road dropped 10 dba to 60-62 dba. I want to perform the same rest in my Q7 to compare as I have never felt it was loud.

[VernK]

Using three different iPad sound level apps and averaging, our month old Passat (with the Contis) measures 60-62 db (A weight) on brand new freeway asphalt, jumps up 7 db on older but still decent freeway.

There is a stretch of road I want to test on that is really bad pavement.

Yours
Vern

[BBCoach34]

After reading this, I'm glad my car came with Continentals.

My car is extremely quiet.

[Griff_333]

I may have to trade my B6 V6 for my new B7 TDI Premium when it arrives in August (if I don't sell it first). If the B7 has the Hankook tires on it, would it be a good idea to move the Michelin Primacy MXV4's from the B6 (with about 10k miles on them) to the B7? I would rather not pay money to replace the B7 tires with a new set.

I have not seen any 2013 B7s but if they arrive with Conti's, I will be pleased.

Don't expect the Conti's.

[ColoradoDriver]

I have never seen the Contis come on the 18" rims.