Noisy car interiors, what you need to know
A noisy car interior might be a result of a number of factors including poor wall fastening. Photo by ALEX ESAGALA
What you need to know:
- Noises can be mechanical in nature, such as the clatter of a loose panel, or the squeak of two panels rubbing together.
- Not all noise is unpleasant because some drivers enjoy the occasional burst from exhaust during full acceleration or the mechanical roar of a V8 engine.
It is quite satisfying to drive in a luxury car whose interior is shut to external noise.
It is one of the lesser known aspects that separate luxury cars from the ordinary and more affordable ones.
See, silence is a luxury and car manufacturers have mastered it as they fix extra sound-absorbing insulation and noise-cancelling audio systems to mask the inside of the car from noise generated by the engine hum and tyre purrs.
This is especially common among high-end cars and recently small crossovers.
Noise is destruction and given the nature of Ugandans, it is one aspect that many drivers have decided to live with.
Noises can be mechanical in nature, such as the clatter of a loose panel, or the squeak of two panels rubbing together.
However, much of it is generated by the tyres and air rub offs as the car cuts through to move forward.
Not all noise is unpleasant because some drivers enjoy the occasional burst from exhaust during full acceleration or the mechanical roar of a V8 engine.
Car noise can be reduced in three ways. You can stop it at the source, blocking its path into the interior, or change the level or frequency so it doesn’t irritate.
Stopping noise at the source may seem to be the preferred method, but it is not always possible because some such as the one generated from tyres is determined by road surfaces.
However, if there is a specific source of noise in your car, such as moving parts rubbing on each other identify the problem and eliminate it. Simple things such as a loose spare tyre in the boot will generate noise. So fix all the loose ends to end the noise. In some cars, noise penetration can be controlled by building tight compartments that reduce on the level of vibration.
This is usually done by changing the stiffness or mass of a component, thus limiting the frequency of vibrations.
However, whereas it is easy to cut back on other forms of noise wind noise is a little tricky and more difficult.
A wind “rush” is the sound of air that passes off the car’s surface or the windshield pillars, wiper blades and mirrors.
Manufacturers attempt to reduce this kind of noise by changing angles, location or smoothening edges. Nonetheless, wind rush can be reduced but not eliminated.
Wind whistles, which mostly happen at high speed results from air that leaks from inside the body to the outside.
This can be controlled by a partial or full roll up of the windscreen or adjusting doors, windows and window fittings.
Why luxury cars have less noise
Large or luxury cars often go through more extensive testing and use higher-quality materials to reduce interior sound levels.
Car interior noise might be a result of age or use of inferior material that are less effective when it comes to protecting the interior from external noise.
