The auto expert named the causes of tire noise and ways to reduce it in the cabin.

The noise from the tires is not always related to their quality — often the problem lies in the settings of the car and the lack of sound insulation. Alexander Kornev, head of the Department for work with importers at Gazprombank Autoleasing, told Izvestia on February 20 about why the wheels start to hum and how to choose quieter tires.

According to him, even relatively quiet tires can create a noticeable hum in the cabin due to the weak sound insulation of the wheel arches. In such cases, the services often recommend starting with their processing.

"Most often we are talking about air noise. It can be reduced by local noise insulation of the arches. However, the structural noise that is transmitted through the car's structure requires comprehensive noise insulation of the body," the auto expert explained.

Additional noise may occur due to incorrect tire pressure. Inflated wheels become stiffer and louder, especially when it comes to studded tires. Insufficient pressure, on the contrary, causes vibrations. The expert recommends strictly adhering to the indicators specified by the manufacturer, as a rule, they are placed on a sticker in the driver's door opening or on the hatch of the gas tank.

Another reason for the hum may be an imbalance of the wheels or a violation of the camber-convergence. In this case, vibrations are transmitted to the body, and the tires wear out unevenly and bite harder into the road surface, which increases the noise level.

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When choosing new tires, Kornev advises paying attention to the marking of the noise level. On the information sticker, it is indicated by the symbol of sound waves and the value in decibels. One wave indicates a quieter model, three waves indicate an increased noise level. At the same time, even a difference of one decibel is noticeable, and an increase of 3 dB is perceived as a twofold increase in volume.

The type of tires also affects acoustic comfort. Friction winter tires made of soft rubber, the so-called Velcro, are considered the least noisy. Summer tires are stiffer and usually louder. Off-road models remain the noisiest, as well as studded tires with reinforced frames and rigid sidewalls.

The tread pattern is also important. Symmetrical rubber is usually louder than asymmetric rubber, and the directional pattern of the lamellae creates more resonance compared to non-directional. The higher profile of the wheel provides additional softness and reduces noise levels. In addition, light tires are more likely to be quieter and reduce fuel consumption.

Some manufacturers use additional noise reduction technologies, such as a special inner coating or special rubber compounds. However, the expert emphasizes that even the most modern tire does not compensate for technical malfunctions or improper operation of the car.

On January 27, Alexander Abramov, Executive Director of Sberbank Insurance, spoke about non-insurable situations. In car insurance (CASCO), payments are not required if the damage is due to natural wear and tear of the car — replacement of brake pads, shock absorbers, oil and other elements of scheduled maintenance. Also, the use of a car for other purposes is not recognized as an insured event, for example, to participate in races or to operate a taxi without an appropriate option.

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