[Locomotive]

I have a 2007 SX4 ZXI. while I love driving it and believe that it has very good levels of equipment (for its price), I now think that Maruti has cut a few corners when it comes to noise insulation. It is just absolutely appauling. initially it did not bother me much but now its getting on my nerves. The noise is particularly defenning when driving over concrete roads like the Mumbai Pune expressway (almost sounds like a jet turbine!!).

i think a part of the problem may be the stock 205/60 16" JK vectras. according to a tirewalla, these are perhaps the worst tires that one could use. He has suggested me Continentals or Michellins, but says that the tire noise would still persist, although at much reduced levels. my car has done 30000kms and i plan to change my tires just before the rains.

Please suggest me the other ways to improve the noise insulation in my car.

while searching through various posts on sound deadening i came across various options like mats (dynamats, american dynamics, Werth ect), sprays and underbody coating (Bardhal, Dinitrol), interesting options like using fibre glass sheets and some DIY projects. But most of these were discussions on sound damping in the ICE section. I guess the same would apply here but i am sort of illiterate in this area. I have no complains with my stock ICE sound quality (though i do have to turn it up to counter the road noise, something which i am not very fond of doing).

I am desparate to reduce the noise levels in an affordable manner. please help!!

[Locomotive]

Gurus, where are you? need your advice.

[Fountainheader]

I guess you can change to Michelin MXV8 205/60/R16. The best tyres with hardly any noise.

[Akshay1234]

you could upgrade to 225/50 r16. i think youd get many tires in that size. check out yokohama c-drive or michelin mxv8s. if you want to get damping done noisekill is the most vfm. i think you can contact lbm for it.

[Locomotive]

Thanks would wider tires not bring down the fuel efficiency even further? Thats the reason i might stick to stock size.

What is noise kill and how much would that cost for insulating my car?

[harry2223]

my ohc tyres are also noisy i can hear it if roll down window.i am using kumho tyres so planning to replace them.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Locomotive

Thanks would wider tires not bring down the fuel efficiency even further? Thats the reason i might stick to stock size.

What is noise kill and how much would that cost for insulating my car?

i dont think you would have many options in the stock size or in 215. though ishan would be able to tell you more on that. or even kp.

noiskill is damping which costs 150 per sq ft and it will reduce the outside noise a bit and reduce your rattles.

[iraghava]

In the stock size you have the following options:

Yokohama ES501
Michelin Energy MXV8

And I wouldn't suggest anything wider since on a car like the SX4 anything more than 205's is going to be sheer overkill.

[kpzen]

Michelin MXV8 and Yokohama ES501 would be the best options in stock size as suggested by Ishan.

Yokohama ES501 would be lot cheaper than MXV8.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by iraghava

In the stock size you have the following options:

Yokohama ES501
Michelin Energy MXV8

And I wouldn't suggest anything wider since on a car like the SX4 anything more than 205's is going to be sheer overkill.

oh so there are other options in the stock size. in which case id agree 100%.

[Raccoon]

Not 100% sure... but upgrading to wider tyes might increase the noise level... as there would be more rubber in contact with the road.

[ravibhat]

My suggestion go for Michellins, MXV8 is very good tyre with excellant comfort almost ZERO noise. It might be costly to buy you would enjoy every bit of it.

Please stick to stock size to get better ride comfort and to avoid decrease in FE.

Regards,

Ravi.