It's Not Just You, We Hear It Too

Perhaps you’ve become accustomed to the shudders, squeaks and vibrations inside your vehicle. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with them.

A variety of tapes and foams are among aftermarket accessories available to silence the discord.

“Quiet interior is a major comfort factor in today’s vehicles,” said Ivan Mini, Global Automotive Interiors major market leader for Dow Corning. “Noise-damping lubricants can be economical for vehicle manufacturers to eliminate undesirable interior squeaks, rattles, buzzes and vibrations.”

The auto industry categorizes the phenomenon as Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH). Any number of factors contribute to it and every car company employs engineers tasked with confronting it.

Sagging rubber seals on the doors let wind into the cabin or the dashboard might rattle at a certain speed. Uneven or rough roads also transport vehicle groans inside.

Damping tape absorbs noise to prevent plastic-on-plastic squeaks. Urethane foams provide weatherproof seals and stops vibrations between panels.

Industry experts say there are three ways to handle noise and vibration: find the source, prevent the sound from occurring or absorb the sound as well as possible.

Here are some ways industry experts diagnose and treat NVH:

• Finding the cause of the noise comes first. Sometimes simply rearranging items in the glove compartment or weighing down a rattling cupholder is all it takes. More advanced solutions involve additional parts and labor.
• Turn to an aftermarket solution. Foams and various other materials dampen vibrations and help absorb unwanted noise.
• Rebuild or replace. Sometimes parts are simply worn out and need to be repaired or replaced. Before taking this step, ask your service advisor about the options for removing cabin noise.