| General notes on tyre noise |
| Tyre noise that can be heard by the human ear is caused by vibrations which are transmitted by the air from the source of the sound to our ears. |
| Of interest here are the noises caused by certain characteristics and effects while the tyres are rolling (source of the sound). |
| The cause of the noise is largely dependent on the combination of the road surface and tyres. |
| The road surface structure and material will greatly affect tyre noise. For example, the noise level on a wet road is much higher than on a dry road. |
| The tread pattern on the tyre contact surface also has a significant influence on tyre noise. Tyres with transverse grooves at an angle of 90° generate more noise than tyres with grooves running diagonally. |
| Small tread blocks are unstable. Their highly pronounced deformation agitates the air as the tyres roll. This creates the air vibrations that cause tyre noise. |
| Wider tyres are louder. They need more tread channels to displace water. When they are rolling, these tread channels displace the air, also creating air vibrations. |
| Further effects that also influence tyre noise: |
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| »Tyre vibration« is the principal cause of tyre noise. It is caused by the columns of air in the tread channels being agitated. |
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| »Air pumping« is the compression and expansion of the air caused by the deformation of the tread blocks as the tyre contact area moves along the road surface. |
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