When it comes to tyres, there is often a major focus on performance and fuel economy. But what about comfort and noise? Surely these are equally important, given that you will be driving on them for many thousands of hours?
So what is car tyre noise?
The main noise that is produced by tyres is what is called 'tyre pattern noise'. This is what most people mean when they say tyre noise. This is the noise that is created when the air that is trapped in the tread pattern is suddenly released as the tyre rolls along the surface/road. Tyre noise is highly-regulated and is measured in decibels (dB).
What contributes to tyre noise?
Different tread designs and patterns generate different noises and levels of noise. Tread designs that consist of short, repeating patterns tend to generate a whine. A tyre that has a rib tread pattern is almost always quieter than one with a block or lug pattern. Tyres with the same size tread segments, a single pitch pattern, are usually significantly noisier than those with multiple pitch patterns i.e. tread blocks of varying sizes/shapes. This is why newer tyres tend to have multiple/varied pitch patterns.
In addition to the design of the tread pattern, there are several other elements that affect the noise generated. Rapid acceleration, hard braking, and high-speed cornering can cause vibrations that produce squealing sounds. Poor tyre uniformity, heavy loads, speeds, and tyre pressure can all impact noise - and tyre construction also plays a part.
What about internal noise?
Perhaps more relevant to comfort, interior noise is the noise heard by the driver/passengers. Interior noise can make conversation difficult, affect concentration, and interfere with making phone calls or listening to music. For luxury vehicles, keeping this noise level as low as possible is highly desirable.
What is meant by comfort when it comes to tyres?
Essentially, when it comes to comfort and low noise tyres, comfort relates to the ability of the tyre to handle surface imperfections and minimise bumps and vibrations when driving. A good quality tyre should provide a smooth and comfortable, non-shaky, non-bumpy ride.
What are some of the best tyres for comfort and low noise?
Some of the most highly-regarded low tyre noise tyres are outlined below.
Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus
The Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus is an all-season touring tyre designed for small and midsize saloons, coupes, or minivans. This tyre offers extended tread life, excellent performance in wet and dry conditions and a very comfortable ride. Noise-wise, this tyre is very quiet even when being driven at high speeds. It benefits from the Pirelli Noise Cancelling System, which keeps noise low both externally and internally.
Continental TrueContact Tour
The Continental TrueContact Tour is a premium all-season touring tyre designed to be fitted to high-performance passenger cars. It offers outstanding performance in all conditions, stability at high speeds, and short braking distances.
When it comes to noise, this tyre has been described as being "eerily silent" even at motorway speeds. The noise levels are kept to a minimum thanks to the ContiSilentT tyre technology, which involves the use of a special layer of polyurethane foam beneath the tread. It also manages to somehow smooth out any kind of road imperfections, meaning no bumps or excessive vibrations.
Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
The Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is a premium all-season touring tyre for crossovers, SUVs, and light-duty pickups. It offers impressive grip on dry and wet roads, high-speed stability, and excellent hydroplaning resistance. It is regarded as one of the most comfortable tyres in its category and is able to smooth out irregularities in the road and keep noise levels extremely low.
Extensive choice of tyres
Protyre are one of the largest suppliers of tyres in the UK. Our network of garages specialise in same-day fittings and we offer tyres for cars, motorcycles, and vans.
We offer a huge variety of choice when it comes to tyres and tyre brands. This includes summer, winter, and all-season tyres from premium manufacturers such as Bridgestone, Pirelli, Goodyear, and Michelin; mid-range options from the likes of Firestone, Avon, GT Radial, Falken, and Sumitomo; and low-cost options from brands including Ovation, Budget, Enduro-Runway, and Autogrip.
Tyres can be purchased online and fittings can be arranged online or over the phone at a Protyre garage that is convenient for you. You can find your nearest Protyre garage by entering your postcode in the online 'Find your local garage you can trust' search tool. Results are shown, together with contact details, in a list with the nearest garage to your postcode shown at the top. They can also be viewed on a map for ease of use. All Protyre garages are staffed by qualified fitters with considerable experience.
Other services offered
In addition to tyre fitting, Protyre garages offer vehicle services, MOTs, and a number of free safety checks to give you peace of mind. As with the tyre fittings, these can be booked either online or over the phone, whichever you prefer.
