I have read a number of posts from members swapping the emt tires for others such as the Michelin PS2, with most commenting that the road noise is considerably lower than the emt's.

Is the louder noise with the oems due to the tread design, or is there something inherent in the emt design that makes them noisier ?

Has anyone yet tried the emt all-seasons, and how they are with respect to noise ? Does anyone else make an emt to fit ?

 

Actually, I don't find the stock tires to be particularly noisy (and I have had two C6's - a Z51 and an F55).

I really think that this is an over rated issue. I find that the road surface has more to do with tire noise than the tires themselves. Now, there is an exception. When tires are pretty well worn, they almost always are noisier. That is why I think a lot of people claim that the new tires they change to are quieter - they don't realize that the tires they took off just got gradually noisier with time.

I do realize that some tires are inherently noiser than others, I just don't think it's as much as some people claim. This is based upon my experiences - I've changes out tires many times over the years and have never noticed a change in tire noise significant enough to be worth talking about, unless the old tires were very worn out and had become noisey late in life.

 

I can agree with that 100%, but what ALL your local roads are worn ?

 

I can agree with that 100%, but what if ALL your local roads are worn ?

 

Bob, as you note, road noise in the stock tires is produced by both the tread pattern and the EMT construction. My dad worked for Goodyear for 43 years and he used to run early EMT’s (as early as the late sixties) on our family cars in testing programs for Goodyear.

Road texture and tread pattern are obviously both important factors in tire road noise generation, but testing shows tread pattern is usually the major factor and certainly becomes prevalent below a certain road smoothness. As expected this is complex. Some tires with aggressive tread patterns (geometric profiles) rolling over smooth road surfaces can produce considerable road noise while tires with less aggressive tread patterns rolling on very rough roads can be relatively quiet.

The bending stiffness of the tire belts and sidewall also has considerable influence over noise generation and sound radiation. There have been several excellent studies that examined how road texture deformed the sidewall and tread bands and how deformation affected tire vibration and sound generation. The next generation of EMT’s should be a lot better.

Road noise assessment is not straight forward because people have considerable variations in hearing and perceive noise differently (you are often less bothered by certain noises as you age because you don’t hear them as well!). A tire that “seems” quiet to an older driver may be perceived as very noisy to a younger driver.

 

D'OH ! (Sorry Homer)...SO, I won't need tires for awhile (only 3500 miles so far)...do you think they'll be ready soon ? just kidding....
and thanks for telling me I'm not so old.....

Is there any way to compare tread designs of the oem emt's with the all weathers ( for noise that is)? Which, in your opinion, would be quieter ? Is there any type of rating that would show this factor ?

I do want to keep the emt type as I have already picked up a nail in one, (lots of construction all over FL) and do NOT look forward to a blowout with a non emt in the future. The noise at present is not a real problem for me, but I would like to find something a little quieter.

 

Put some sound insolation in the doors! It is amazing what the difference is. (Please! no "this is a sports car" BS).