Toad Honda CR-V EX-L Road Noise

[docj]

Originally Posted by funmoneypit

Regardless, the meter is a good way for me to compare. Also shows how loud the CRV is.

You can save yourself a lot of testing time by using tables like these to look up the dB levels in a variety of vehicles measured by various automobile magazines around the world. You'll notice that the 2012-2104 CR-V is shown as having an interior noise level of ~64-66 dB at 65 mph which, coincidentally, is virtually the same as the noise levels measured in both the Equinox and the Grand Cherokee, two of the other vehicles mentioned in this thread:

Auto Decibel Database

What I find interesting is that even some of the world's most expensive cars have interior noise levels (at 65 mph) that aren't all that different. If you're willing to pay for a Mercedes as a toad you would still have a sound level of 61-65 dB at 65 mph

Anyone with an engineering psychology background will understand that noise measurement are highly subject to listener bias. If you "know" that "all Honda's are noisy" you will be more likely to rate a vehicle you are riding in as noisy just as a subject is likely to rate a Mercedes as quiet.

Also, the frequency spectrum of the noise makes a difference. Higher frequencies are perceived by many people as more objectionable than lower frequencies. Some of the noise deadening suggestions earlier in this thread will reduce higher frequency sound but they will be less effective on lower frequencies.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by docj

I guess we must be losing our hearing. We have 75,000 miles on our 2014 CR-V EX-L and don't consider it's noise to be all that annoying. We've owned far more expensive vehicles that were, no doubt, quieter, but IMHO the noise in the CR-V isn't that big a deal. Maybe I need a new hearing aid!

Same here, we're on CRV #2, great toad.

[MSHappyCampers]

We've had three Accords and now the CRV, and all have had loud road noise. It's fine on smooth asphalt, but on rough asphalt or concrete you can just about forget about listening to the radio!


On the other side of the coin, they have all been great cars with almost no problems! In fact, my wife won't even consider any other brand except Honda!

[funmoneypit]

Originally Posted by docj

You can save yourself a lot of testing time by using tables like these to look up the dB levels in a variety of vehicles measured by various automobile magazines around the world. You'll notice that the 2012-2104 CR-V is shown as having an interior noise level of ~64-66 dB at 65 mph which, coincidentally, is virtually the same as the noise levels measured in both the Equinox and the Grand Cherokee, two of the other vehicles mentioned in this thread:

Auto Decibel Database

What I find interesting is that even some of the world's most expensive cars have interior noise levels (at 65 mph) that aren't all that different. If you're willing to pay for a Mercedes as a toad you would still have a sound level of 61-65 dB at 65 mph

Anyone with an engineering psychology background will understand that noise measurement are highly subject to listener bias. If you "know" that "all Honda's are noisy" you will be more likely to rate a vehicle you are riding in as noisy just as a subject is likely to rate a Mercedes as quiet.

Also, the frequency spectrum of the noise makes a difference. Higher frequencies are perceived by many people as more objectionable than lower frequencies. Some of the noise deadening suggestions earlier in this thread will reduce higher frequency sound but they will be less effective on lower frequencies.

Thanks for the chart. Didn't know it existed. Interesting how the numbers change for the same car but different years. I will still check with my meter to see real world levels on the roads I drive. We will only be looking at a few different cars so not that big of a deal.

[Dutch Star Don]

We bought a used 2013 CRV for a toad for a short time. We took it on a nine week trip across the U.S. I immediately noticed the road noise. Since the tires were in need of replacement, I searched out the quietest/softest tire I could find and installed Hankooks.

I also went on a mission to try and quiet the rest of the car. I removed the spare and lined all of the spare and trunk compartment with the below material. I like this material, because it's easy to apply with 3M spray adhesive and trimmed with silver tape for a clean look.

https://www.amazon.com/Car-Insulatio...ening+material

Between the tires and insulation, it quieted the car a fair amount. We liked that it comfortably fit four large adults, got great gas mileage and was pretty peppy, but in the end, the seats and ride, were just to uncomfortable after a couple of hours of travel. We ended up selling the car.

[TTD]

Just wondering if any vibration comes with the noise?

While my 13 CRV is much noisier than my daily driver, it's nothing I would get rid of it for.

However, I did buy mine used with 14,000 miles on it. On the test drive I noticed vibration around 60 to 70 mph. I knew it was still under warranty so bought it anyway.

Sure enough, there was a driveshaft? service bulletin on the CRV's. Something about the originals being out of balance. Anyway, after that was fixed (for free), the CRV rides better, and I think quieter too... but can't substantiate that.

BTW, the vibration is felt through your butt... not through the steering wheel. If you have this, get it fixed... maybe for free?

[Milehghcty]

I'm the OP. Interesting discussion. A lot of difference responses on whether a CRV has too much road noise. Different for everyone. I like to listen to talk stations and on long drives over 65mph it just gets hard to understand the radio unless you turn it way up, then that extra noise just gets to be too much after a couple of hours. Thanks for the docj post on the Auto Decibel Database … not sure about it though as it shows the CRV not that much noisier that my Camry Hybrid at 75mph … and to me the CRV is a lot noiser over 65mph.

I did stop in a Best Buy and asked a technician (who installs speakers/new radios) about auto insulation and he said they do use Dynmat like material but use it for vibration control rather than blocking noise. For blocking noise he indicated you should use Mass Load Vinyl (MLV). Here is a link. Looks like a good material, but may not be easy to bend around parts of the car or stick inside doors. I'll have to do more research.

https://www.soundproofcow.com/produc...-barriers-mlv/

[funmoneypit]

Originally Posted by Milehghcty

I'm the OP. Interesting discussion. A lot of difference responses on whether a CRV has too much road noise. Different for everyone. I like to listen to talk stations and on long drives over 65mph it just gets hard to understand the radio unless you turn it way up, then that extra noise just gets to be too much after a couple of hours. Thanks for the docj post on the Auto Decibel Database … not sure about it though as it shows the CRV not that much noisier that my Camry Hybrid at 75mph … and to me the CRV is a lot noiser over 65mph.

I did stop in a Best Buy and asked a technician (who installs speakers/new radios) about auto insulation and he said they do use Dynmat like material but use it for vibration control rather than blocking noise. For blocking noise he indicated you should use Mass Load Vinyl (MLV). Here is a link. Looks like a good material, but may not be easy to bend around parts of the car or stick inside doors. I'll have to do more research.

https://www.soundproofcow.com/produc...-barriers-mlv/

A lot of it is what you are used to. I have a Ford Lariat 4x4 crew cab. It is one of the quietest vehicles I have ever owned. That is with a louder aftermarket exhaust and bigger tires. Way quieter than the CRV. Also human nature is to defend our choices. It's funny, if you don't like onions, no matter how good I tell you they are, you still don't like onions. Same with cars. All our experiences are different.

I agree, the chart seems somewhat suspect. Plus it doesn't cover all years of each model. That's why I will do real world testing myself on the exact same roads each time.

There is a Dynamat that is specifically for sound deadening. It is a foam and fairly easy to install.

[Russ Silber]

Our 2014 is great. On highway 31 mph around town 25 mph. Have 67000 miles on it with no repairs. Just standard maintenance.[emoji177]

[scooterbob]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

We've had three Accords and now the CRV, and all have had loud road noise. It's fine on smooth asphalt, but on rough asphalt or concrete you can just about forget about listening to the radio!


On the other side of the coin, they have all been great cars with almost no problems! In fact, my wife won't even consider any other brand except Honda!

Same here I just traded up from 2012 CRV to a 2015 jeep GC what a difference, now I can actually here the wife talking