Who makes the quietest tires in the C5 sizes??

Do the softer compounds run quieter than hard ?

I'm sick of the wine from my Nitto's.

 

Hi SG,

In general, when selecting a tire that may be less conducive to road noise, do make the extra effort to closely examine the tread pattern of the tire.

Several things to look for: Are the "bead blocks" within the tread pattern set widely apart? Are the bead blocks more obtrusive, rectangular and square in shape? Are there numerous and obvious contra patterns molded into the tread?

In general, most tires within the high performance realm (like the tires found on the Corvette) are now produced with closely set, angular, symmetrical, assymetrical and directional "bead blocks". The patterns of these "bead blocks" are inset closely together like a puzzle in a similar and flowing line and directional path which reduces road noise. And, improves performance.

As an example, when the "Goodyear Gatorbacks" were first introduced in the 1980's as an o.e. tire for Corvette, Firebird and Camaro, the formation of the bead blocks were quite bulky, large and set far apart. Many consumers complained of the annoying road noise characteristic symptomatic of this aggressive tread pattern design. This original "Gatorback" design virtually had the appearance of an "all season", "mud and snow" aggressive tire tread pattern. These tire types are definitely conducive to road noise. And, should not be integrated into a high performance tire application for a high performance sport passenger vehicle.

In fact, Goodyear soon after developed a multi ribbed and closer set bead block design of the speed rated Goodyear Gatorback for the Toyota Supra to precisely offer a quieter alternative as o.e. specific to that vehicle. Consumers noted the reduced road noise with this specific model Goodyear Gatorback tire.

Frankly, any tire you choose today for your Corvette will be an exceptional design in technology and performance. Today, Pirelli, Michelin, Dunlop, Yokohama, Falken, etc., all offer such improved attributes. Furthermore, regular maintenance is an essential component to this equation, for neglected tires may develop irregular tread patterns.

Therefore, always maintain proper air pressure (check the cold air pressure in the morning) at least once a week. And, at the same time, examine your tires for any debris that may have lodged between, or, on the tire tread. Rebalance your wheels and tires, and, realign (four wheel alignment) your vehicle every three to four thousand miles, or, sooner, if you hit a curb or pothole etc. Such diligence will help to prevent premature tire wear, and, the development of unusual tread wear patterns that are conducive to road noise.

Best Wishes to You,
Eden

 

You could go to www.tirerack.com and actually choose "road noise" as your first prioity in a search. This will display a 1 to 10 rating scale on noise levels.

 

Ah, I remember the original Gatorbacks.......I was working for Uniroyal World Headquarters R&D in their Power Transmission division, which so happened to be next to the Tire Test Division. They would wind those babies up to speeds that would eventually lead to catastrophic blowout. At high speeds, you could hear the tire whine at the opposite end of the building - and that was/is a VERY long building.

That being said, I must also mention that my Goodyear GSD3s are extremely quiet.

 

Thanks for the input ; the Tire Rack option might work.

 

It ain't the tires.

 

Correct. Road noise is dependent upon the construction material and design of the road surface.

 

...and the tread pattern as was mentioned above. Have you ever heard one of those 4X trucks with massive tires drive by? The tire noise far exceeds any other noise emminating from the road or engine!

 

Hello Again,

Dave68, you are absolutely right. Larger, "nobbier" type tires such as All Terrain, Mud Terrain, Mud and Snow, All Season, very aggreessive bead block patterned tires, and, unevenly worn tires are generally, more conducive to road noise.

As an example, the consumer response of perceived road noise from the ALL Terrain type tires that were made by Dunlop and BFG, and, seen often on 4X4's, Toyota 4Runners, and, Nissan Pathfinders, prompted Michelin to release a high end alternative. This new tire was developed with a closer set bead block and tread pattern that resembled a more common passenger tire. And, hence, yielded a more quieter ride.

However, there is no doubt that uneven road surfaces also contribute to this factor. Many of our older more heavily traversed highways are developed with very deep inset grooves. These "ribs" become old, scraped, fractured, broken and worn over time. And, are conducive to road noise. Fortunately, our more common highways are regularly maintained and repaved to reduce this symptomology. However, with all due respect, a very aggressive tire tread pattern and design also plays an integral and contributing factor to road noise as discussed above.

Best Wishes to All,
Eden

 

Yes, I misspoke before. The tire design does contribute to the overall sound emanating from the tire-pavement interface, but the major contributor is from the road surface itself.

For example, Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements are durable, low maintenance, surfaces. To enhance the wet weather traction of these pavements transverse grooves are inscribed in the surface during casting-this process is called tining (think of dragging a fork across it). Due to the uniform spacing of the tining, it creates a very objectionable noise as you drive over it. This noise is objectionable not only because it elevates the overall level of the tire-pavement sound levels but also because of its harsh tone. If the tining ran along the length of the road this noise would almost disappear...but the purpose of the tining, to remove water from the road, would be negated.

There are better road materials available that minimize noise such as rubberized asphalt, but they are very expensive and, at least in the great state of Virginia, the DOT just isn't going to make the plunge. That's why they are busy erecting soundwalls everywhere.

So, yep, the tire design is absolutely a contributor to road noise.

 

It ain't the tires, it's the car!!!

 

Hi Bubble,

Greetings to you. And, I thank you for your supportive comments that explain how tire design absolutely contributes to road noise. Moreover, I applaud you for also briefly delving into how our highways are constructed. And, how certain paving techniques and finishes to the surfaces of our highways actually contribute to audible road noise. Understandably, this information is not well known to most individuals. And, is a very interesting topic.

The surfacing or texturing of highway pavement surfaces is a necessary engineering and processing procedure that is aimed to allow the new highway surface to yeild adequate resistance to skidding. And, yet allow water to sufficiently escape from rolling tires to minimize hydroplaning. However, it is important to mention that these very same paving techniques and resultant highway surface finishes, produce imprinted pavement patterns that have been shown to be conducive to related tire and pavement noise as indicated by some of our CF members in the above posted responses.

These pavement patterns are deep ribbed grooves generally refered to as "tining" (as "Bubble" mentioned above). Standards as we know it today for concrete highway construction and tining of the suface of highways was studied and implemented by many agencies and companies including the PCC. And, in the past, surfaces had been consistently tined with longitudinal, and/or, transverse tines that were thicker, deeper, and, widely set apart. These deeper grooves are conducive to road noise. Some major highways have a blending of these two patterns together called "cross hatching" that allows this condition to be even worse, and, produce a painful harmonic whine.

National and International agencies have yeilded studies in an effort to evaluate which textures provide the needed safety characteristics while reducing audible and annoying road whine. Consequently, one of the most important findings was that the highways now need to be surfaced with more longitudinal tining (which is less conducive to road noise versus transverse). But, with narrower, closer set and shallower grooves. This technique was not lost upon the tire manufacturing industry. Today, tires are now designed with closer set bead patterns to not only enhance performance, but, to also reduce audible road noise seen produced from tires made with wider set and nobbier bead block tread patterns.

FYI, (since the 90's) highways are now being made with not only closer set and shallower longitudinal grooves, but, also of a mixture of PCC concrete and aggregates in the mix to yeild a new smoother (rubberized) asphalt called "Superpave". This type of pavement is smooth and a pleasure to drive upon if you have tires that are NOT unevenly worn, or, if you have tires that are NOT designed with an aggressive tread pattern. Arizona and the Sacramento area of California have been test-beds for this new and smoother rubberized asphalt composite. As an aside, our U.S. highways are made between 16 to 18 inches thick with "mechanically raked" in surfaces (although shallower and closer set). The German Autobahn is 27 inches thick (for higher speeds and commercial trucks with heavier lading capacities than the U.S.). And, made with a combination of PCC concrete and "rubberized asphalt", and, "burlap raked" to yeild even smoother surfaces to reduce road noise caused by deeper and worn tining grooves. This smoother surface also alerts commuters on the Autobahn to be more attentive to the road noise that is caused by unevenly worn, and, neglected tires, as well as, the insidious noise characteristics of nobbier tires that may not perform as well as tires made with a closer set tread (quieter) pattern. At such higher speeds, tire type, integrity, and, maintenance are imperative for ones safety. Also, a nobbier tread pattern would be more than annoying on the Autobahn where speeds of over 125 miles per hour is common, and, may not be the best choice in performance and handling, as well as, for ones ear drums. Now, you and I cannot repave the asphalt on the highway on any day. However, we do have the more affordable option to select a tire with a tread pattern that is less conducive to road noise.

Best Wishes,
Eden

 

Good info, Eden and Bubblepuppy!

Evil, actually, the tires and/or road surfaces create the noise, but the vehicle design determines how much reaches your ears.

How's that?

 

DEATH to wear bars!

 

Hi Dave,

Now, Superdave, this is a little off topic, but, tell us a little bit about the "Double Yellow Dirt Bags of San Diego". Well, I just had to smile and laugh when I read the caption under your avatar. Honestly, this forum is really wonderful in that one can share not only interesting experiences and helpful information in this special community of corvette enthusiasts, but, also joy and laughter.

Best Wishes,
Eden

 

You might want to check out the Sumitomo HTRZ IIs, good all around tire, including the noise area, & very low cost too. Yes, tirerack sells them.

 

It aint't the tires, it's the car.... all tires are noisy , some are just noisier than others... in a C5 all tires noise is amplified because of the design, insulate the car and the noise will go.

 

Hello, Eden! That moniker was created after one of our famous "Mountain runs" (bunch of CF members "cruising along beautiful mountain roads), during which a few of us accidentally crossed some double-yellow lines. One of the new guys blasted some of us for doing this and a lengthy thread in the Pacific section ensued. During the massive "discussion", some of us coined the "Double Yellow Dirt Bags" name. Others viewed it as too demeaning and used "Rat-packers" instead.
I highly recommend "cruises", as they bring faces to the names and great discussions to the lunch table.

Dave

 

I have to agree with edensknight ; I think the size of the tread blocks has alot to do with the noise.

I never had anything but BFG Comp TA's on my C4 ; it didn't wine on a certain section of the interstate ,like these Nitto's on the C5.

I'm going to try a smaller tread block design.

Thanks for your input -

 

".... all tires are noisy, some are just noisier than others..." Exactly!

And the original question is: "Who makes the quietest tires in the C5 sizes?? "