Road Noise?

[JPW]

Well, I did my best to go test drive some cars using an SPL meter and came away with mixed results. I will say whoever mentioned the issue with road noise coming from the tires might be on to something. It does seem to be fairly pronounced in what should be an otherwise very quiet car (Equus and Genesis).

What I found was only about 1-2 db swings based on a number of different cars in the same environment. The Equus is quiet, no doubt about it, and the resulting measurements reflected it. At 70 mph the SPL meter read about 66db, but only slightly less than my 2006 750LI. I can't help but wonder how the Equus would sound with different tires.

 

[TheDubbleRR]

Wow, it is funny that I just happen to be surfing and I find this Hyundai Forum. As soon as I seen your thread about noise, I knew exactly what I would be reading before I opened it up. Let me be the firs to tell you that you are not alone in your thinking, I experienced the same exact thing and I own a Hyundai Genesis Sedan. The car is a good car but I am also thinking something is wrong with the axles, wheels/tires or suspension because it does make a lot of noise. To make it even funnier, I own a Lexus LS 400 and it is not in the same league as far as quietness. I went and test drove the Equus also and I heard noise as well, not as much but enough to make me hesitate in purchasing another Hyundai. I am struggling right now with a decision to go back to the Lexus LS 460L because I know how quiet my LS 400 is and I am probably not going to make the same mistake again. I am in the process of shopping for some newer tires to see if this can cut down some of the road noise but its really sad that my 1992 Lexus LS 400 is quieter than 97 percent newer cars on the lot today. I just wanted to share my experience with you because I know exactly what you are thinking and its not just you, in all honesty it's we have gotten so use to the Lexus LS that everything else we ride in sounds loud. I am not knocking Hyundai, I just happen to own a Lexus LS and a Hyundai. Most that wont agree are people who do not own both, therefore they really don't know how quiet a Lexus LS vehicle is, therefore they will think the Hyundai is quieter.

Wondering if any of you are having a similar experience ...

The Equus is quiet - very nice. I have noticed though that on highways i do hear quite a bit of road noise. In South Texas the highways are often concrete and not so level. Driving above 55 there seems to be quite a bit of road noise transmitted back in to the car - normal or sport mode. It somewhat feels "busy" like pieces in the suspension are moving or vibrating more than they should.

I asked the dealer to take a look at it for me when I went in for an oil change and they found nothing. The tires are good (Contis) and in balance. Perhaps it is due to the other noises from the car being hushed, but the Equus is not as smooth and quiet as our '03 LS430 and i am surprised about that.

Have any of you noticed this?

 

[TheDubbleRR]

I own a 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan and he is correct in what he is stating. I thought the exact same thing, I drove it cross country a few times and I ended up just getting use to the noise. The car is great but its loud as well. I don't know if this is the case with the 2012, I am just commenting on my 2009. I have a 1992 Lexus LS 400 that is much quieter, actually its 97% quieter than any 2012 on the road today. The Lexus LS series has spoiled me when it comes to quietness. Dont get me wrong, I like the Hyundai Genesis, I am struggling with purchasing a new Equus vs Lexus LS 460L.

Well, I did my best to go test drive some cars using an SPL meter and came away with mixed results. I will say whoever mentioned the issue with road noise coming from the tires might be on to something. It does seem to be fairly pronounced in what should be an otherwise very quiet car (Equus and Genesis).

What I found was only about 1-2 db swings based on a number of different cars in the same environment. The Equus is quiet, no doubt about it, and the resulting measurements reflected it. At 70 mph the SPL meter read about 66db, but only slightly less than my 2006 750LI. I can't help but wonder how the Equus would sound with different tires.

 

[lacrossewacker]

Have the folks here that have since changed their OEM tires had the same issue?

 

[calmone]

imho yes, all tires make some noise. but i think it is just the car. two things come to mind, 1) the heater/ac fan is LOUD. my friend opines that the if the fan were a cage fan as in my other german cars it would be quieter, and 2) both my previous car (05 audi A8) and my 04 vw phaeton were or are quieter. of course, the vw has double pane glass. anyway, you want quiet you;re gonna pay for it.

 

[tfmsEQ]

Wondering if any of you are having a similar experience ...

The Equus is quiet - very nice. I have noticed though that on highways i do hear quite a bit of road noise. In South Texas the highways are often concrete and not so level. Driving above 55 there seems to be quite a bit of road noise transmitted back in to the car - normal or sport mode. It somewhat feels "busy" like pieces in the suspension are moving or vibrating more than they should.

I asked the dealer to take a look at it for me when I went in for an oil change and they found nothing. The tires are good (Contis) and in balance. Perhaps it is due to the other noises from the car being hushed, but the Equus is not as smooth and quiet as our '03 LS430 and i am surprised about that.

Have any of you noticed this?

I've had the same problems since new--5 years ago. Although on an asphalt road the Equus rides silky-smooth and is extremely quiet. But I strongly agree with you that that noise and slight shaking is very annoying and I hope Hyundai will do something about it on both the older Equus' that are affected, and the problem resolved on the new Equus'.

 

[turnne]

I dont think the Equus is going to be as quiet as a Lexus LS

Warren