Road noise

[sfedai0]

Did people really think a civic, much less a Type-R, would have no road noise? Its already quite insulated compared to past Honda cars. Try a S2k or the ITR. The road noise in combination with the engine and music is all part of the experience.

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[CTR]

Did people really think a civic, much less a Type-R, would have no road noise? Its already quite insulated compared to past Honda cars. Try a S2k or the ITR. The road noise in combination with the engine and music is all part of the experience.

I daily drove an S2000 for 8 years. The tire noise on the FL5 is much louder. It was the first thing I noticed driving away from the dealership. Wind noise is definitely worse in an S2000 though.

A lot of people daily drive these cars because they are fun and practical. There is nothing wrong with trying to find ways of reducing road noise.

 

[Shingo Shoji]

I daily drove an S2000 for 8 years. The tire noise on the FL5 is much louder. It was the first thing I noticed driving away from the dealership. Wind noise is definitely worse in an S2000 though.

A lot of people daily drive these cars because they are fun and practical. There is nothing wrong with trying to find ways of reducing road noise.

Couldn't agree more. I think it really depends on where you live. If you were in a city with a lot of asphalt then the road noise is really good in the FL5. When you live in a more rural area with coarse chip seal/spray seal roads then on 265 tyres I find the road noise is pretty bad. On one stretch near me I measured road noise averaging 82db abd maxing out at 89 in 5th gear doing 80kmph (50mph).

I'm booked in for new speakers and decided to get noise deadening as well in the doors to help with the sound system performance but also so that I can talk on the phone on coarse chip. Hopefully it works. Even if it just helps a little it would be worth it IMO.

 

[TW00Si]

My S2000 is loud, noisy and lots of fun to drive. When I drive my CTR, it’s like a fun luxury sedan. I’ve had my S2000 since 2007, everything is luxury.

 

[Aar]

I picked up my FL5 today and mostly love it; however, ironically, in online videos where people complain about the fake engine sound, all I hear is road noise. It's deafening. Even driving around 30mph, road noise is dominant. Online review videos must use mics/software that remove the background road noise and isolate the engine sound, which is misleading.

 

[rob495]

I always thought the road noise was high but acceptable, until I drove into Georgia. The material they use to pave the highways created so much road noise that I had to buy earplugs for me and my 10 year old daughter.

 

[MrB]

In the UK, generally speaking our roads are very coarsely (and badly) surfaced. The level of road noise in the FL5 is very high. As someone said above, S2000 road noise is lower (at least on standard wheels and tyres like mine was). The only car I've driven with similar levels of road noise as standard was an Impreza RB320.

But it doesn't bother me.

 

[johnloov]

Tips to reduce road noise please

I agree. Your tinnitus issues are real. My ears are ringing for days after driving the car, even if I wear ear plugs, the harmonic frequency is penetrating the inner ear. We definitely need a solution. I just got my 2024 Civic Type R. I had an Alfa 4C and it blew out my inner ears. It was the road noise that gave me massive Tinnitus, ringing in the ear for years, and no ear plugs would work. I had to get rid of it, and sold it years ago. Then my hearing healed after 2 years. I've driving many cars since, and have had no problems, and I thought the Type R would not bring back this issue. Now again the same thing is happening with the Type R, which is really disappointing. I drive the car once, and then I have to take a week or two off, I get migraines. Those harsh frequencies travel into the inner ear, even with 32db ear plugs in. Driving the type R I was sure it would be better, but somehow even with ear plugs, again the same issue. I get out of the car and for days, my ears are ringing! I don't know what frequency it is, but it's for sure destroying my hearing again, and it must be coming from the tires and the lack of insulation, and your driving a tin can. If someone is able to solve this problem, god bless. I have no choice but to try to dampen the wheel wells and see what happens. For sure even if you don't have tinnitus, you ears are taking a beating and it's will a matter of time before they give in. After 1 year with the Alfa 4c, my ears one day broke. I don't want this to happen to other's it's permanent damage to your health, and you may go insane with a gun shot sound in your brain that doesn't go away. Please let us know if anyone has solved this problem! If you don't have Tinnitus, you will after long exposure day after day.

 

[MoonieGT]

Just agreeing that this is a noisy car. I've had too many sports cars over the years... but this is the only one I have ever commented on the road noise. It's really just making me uncomfortable in the car. Passengers comment on it as well. I'd love to be able to hear someone else's FL5 on different rubber. It's the only thing I dislike about the car so far, but it's a pretty major dislike atm.

 

[SP R KiD]

I always thought the road noise was high but acceptable, until I drove into Georgia. The material they use to pave the highways created so much road noise that I had to buy earplugs for me and my 10 year old daughter.

Earplugs? Man, you guys have some sensitive ears. Is it loud...Comparatively...Sure. But just put music on. Volume 10-15 or higher I don't feel like you can hear the road noise. Even with no music, it's not like I have to cover my ears, it's just driving.

I support anyone for wanting to try and make the car's road noise more tolerable, go for it. But I think these are either over exaggerations or you guys might have some personal health issues, just sayin. Not digging on anyone btw, I'm just genuinely shocked at comments like this.

 

[Gillie]

Coming from a first gen BRZ, this car is way quieter for me. The FL5 does have more rattles though. Now that I think about it, my car isn't much louder than my friend's 2018 accord either. Maybe my ears are shot...

 

[Clark_Kent]

The continued commentary on road noise is curious to me unless you have a health condition, which at least one person confirmed. This car isn't any louder than other performance cars I've owned. I also don't take extended road trips in silence so maybe that has some effect, not sure. Going through the exercise of installing sound deadening, new tires and/or wheels, ear plugs seems like a lot of effort to quiet things down. Maybe the car isn't a good fit.

 

[superporpoise]

Road noise wasn't the reason I sold mine, but it was something I disliked about the car. And besides the RS3 I've mostly owned economy hot hatches (Mazdaspeed3, Fiesta ST, Elantra N) which are not quiet, but I never had any complaint about road noise in those cars. The Type R is on a different level.

The problem isn't just that it's loud, but also that the engine/exhaust don't sound like anything. It would be one thing if there was an epic engine note, but there's nothing I enjoy about hearing tire roar above everything else.

When I was driving by myself it wasn't too huge of a deal, but any time I had other people in the car I felt bad for them.

 

[MoonieGT]

It's a resonance thing. It’s not the amplitude. It’s not so much that It’s too loud. But the frequency just digs into my brain a bit. My son says the same. The radio, which is solid btw, is plenty powerful to overcome the noise. But it's just a comfort thing. I've owned WRXs, STIs, Miatas, Mustange GT, and Camaro SS. Never had this kind of droning before.

 

[dandaman15]

Yea the stock tires are definitely a huge contributor. As soon as I swapped them out it did make a good bit a difference on the road noise and interior noise.

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