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Factory Tires and Road Noise

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by jalexainkc, Aug 8, 2016.

  1. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I noticed some rain splash noise in very heavy rain on the rear wheel wells. Wonder if spraying the wells with something would help?
     
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I don't know.
    There are different tires that come as OEM tires. So what brand do you have?

    I'm NOT saying this is true, but it was a discussion I had a few years back with a tire guy.

    I told him I wanted a tire that would help with road noise.

    He told me he never sold a tire to a customer with any claims of it helping with road noise, because too often they simply do not.
    That in his opinion the road noise was primarily created by the surfaces you are driving on, and the sound deadening capabilities of the vehicle itself.

    He saw too many customers buying tires that claim to help with sound deadening or road noise, and then either be disappointed or become disappointed when that "benefit" faded.

    Honestly? I don't know if I totally agree with this. I tend to think tire manufacturers can and do design tires that can help reduce road noise.
    But I think I do agree, that the road noise most of us hear, has more to do with the overall sound deadening properties of the vehicle itself as opposed to the tread on the pavement.

    I've never owned a vehicle that's hallmark was suppose to be cathedral like silence, so I guess I've just learned to live with road noise...as white noise. Doesn't bother me too much one way or another.
     
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  3. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    Perfectly describes our Rolls Royce;)
     
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  4. jalexainkc

    jalexainkc Junior Member

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    Yes they are the Toyo 15 in energy tire. That would make sense about the sound insulation in the doors and floors. My previous car was 08 Smart and it claimed to have sound insulation and it seemed quieter on the road than my Gen 4 is. The tires on the Smart were 15 in Continentals, I haven't ever used Toyo before.
    Well I have the 15 in Toyo energy ones and all I can say is my 08 Smart was way quieter running on it's 15 in Continentals at highway speeds, so I think there might be something to the tire maker thing. I was hoping that it improved with mileage but from some of the comments it doesn't seem so. It's defiantly not a deal breaker because I love the 60 mpg average I am getting.
    As far as rain driving goes, I find them to be pretty good and a little less noisy at highway speeds.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    @edthefox5 just insulated his gen 2 with some lightweight stuff, and says it has made a big difference.
     
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  6. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Yes, I'm curious about how the Toyo tires will perform in the rain.... if we ever get any! :( During my high-speed test yesterday, driving at 75-80 mph for an extended period, the cabin noise gets so loud that my ears start ringing.... and they are still ringing today! If I ever have to take a long road trip, I think I will just wear ear plugs.

    (Gotta keep telling myself... Shut up! Don't gripe! You're getting 60 mpg! (y) Who cares if you're deaf!! :ROFLMAO:)
     
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  7. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    That 1985 Sedan Deville was to die in.
     
  8. raspy

    raspy Senior Member

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    A month after getting my car and the noise doing my head in, I decided to check my tyre pressures. They are supposed to be 32 all round, but were actually closer to 38.

    I took air out to get them down to 32, and after taking it out for a 30 mile round trip, including city and highway up to 70mph;
    a) Car needs more gas to get going
    b) MPG on display 'appeared' to be lower than before on similar trips
    c) Much more stable and planted at speed. Felt a tad floaty before.
    d) Much better ride over speed bumps (less bouncy)
    e) Road noise appeared to be far less than before
     
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  9. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    42 is the answer to the ultimate question.

    I ran 51 in the Hondas and 44 for years in the Prius. 42 is fine but an acquired taste like a dry red.

    Be advised lower pressure will cause your tires to wear faster so it is a compromise like all things in life.

    Might be a gorgeous girl with the brain the size of a peanut.
     
    #29 ETP, Aug 17, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2016
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Are tire pressure stipulations getting outa control? I can see 17" tire pressures being lower, but there seems to be design-by-committee going on with all these 15" pressures, and the front/rear differences. I'd vote for 36 psi all around, for 17", similar except 40 for the 15". This is from the Canadian Owners Manual, might be applicable for all North America?

    upload_2016-8-17_9-35-27.png
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Are tire pressure stipulations getting outa control? I can see 17" tire pressures being lower, but there seems to be design-by-committee going on with all these 15" pressures, and the front/rear differences. I'd vote for 36 psi all around, for 17", similar except 40 for the 15". This is from the Canadian Owners Manual, might be applicable for all North America?

    upload_2016-8-17_9-38-58.png
     
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  12. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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  13. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    I had mine up at 37 psi initially but looking at the treadwear, the rears were not contacting the road on the edge of the tread as much as the fronts, I dropped the rears to 32 psi and the fronts to 35 psi. I now have even treadwear and the car seems quieter on the rougher roads.
     
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  14. raspy

    raspy Senior Member

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    Noted. I'm quite happy with the way the car drives now, surely there must be valid reasons why Toyota stipulate 32 all round for my model?
     
  15. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Can someone explain please, what is the difference between a Type A 15" tire, and a Type B 15" tire?
    They are the exact same size... so why different air pressures?
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Seems like the presence/absence of a spare, is a factor. And I suspect temp spare vs full size spare too, but I'm getting dizzy.
     
  17. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    Type A is 89S while type B is 91H
    The number determines the maximum allowed load for the tire (89 is 1279 pounds, 91 is 1356 pounds) while letter determines maximum speed (S is 112 mph, H is 130 mph)
     
  18. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    If you got 15" tires, and I got 15" tires, and they are the exact same size 195/65R/15... why do yours require 32 PSI all around, but mine require 36/35 PSI? :confused:

    And the Two ECO, has the exact same Toyo tires as my Three model... 195/65R/15... but the PSI for them is 39/36!

    Man, talk about confusing! I'm going to inflate my tires to 39/36, and tell everybody I have a "ECO" Prius! :ROFLMAO:
     
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  19. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Thanks, booke.

    Why not just make it simple, and put the 91H on all cars with 15" tires.
     
  20. raspy

    raspy Senior Member

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    Type B has a different sized spare tyre.
    I'm assuming it's because I have a full size spare, and you don't :)