Silent Foam vs Regular Tires: Silent foam tires have become a common feature in electric vehicle OEM fittings, addressing the high demand for reduced noise levels in EVs. But what’s the science behind this foam? Does it really work, or is it just marketing hype? Today, we put these questions to the test in an epic showdown between silent foam and regular tires. Let the battle begin!
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What is the Science behind Silent Foam tires?
Imagine you’re blowing air through a straw, and it goes straight out the other end. Now, picture that same straw but with tiny rooms inside it. When you blow air through this modified straw, the air has to navigate through these little rooms, making its journey slower and quieter. This is essentially how silent foam in tires works.
Silent foam contains numerous tiny hollow spaces, much like the small rooms in our straw analogy. These spaces act as sound absorbers, reducing the noise generated when the tire rolls on the road. The sound waves enter these tiny rooms and lose energy as they bounce around, effectively dampening the noise that reaches the car’s interior.
Results: Silent Foam vs Regular Tires
Results below were tested by Top Tire Review using a combination of public roads and controlled routes. The graph below shows the comparison between Giti Control P10 (normal) vs Giti Control P10 (Silent Foam) tires on the subjective noise & comfort.
The tire size of interest is a 255/45R19 which is a common tire size for Tesla Model Y. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle for this tire test is a 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range.
Objective Noise
In our objective noise performance test, we measured the interior noise levels of both the normal Giti Control P10 tires and the foam-enhanced Giti Control P10 Silent Tires inside a Tesla Model Y. The normal tires produced a certain level of noise which we used as our reference. When we switched to the silent foam tires, we observed a reduction of 1.5 decibels in interior noise.
To put this into perspective, while driving at a constant speed of 20 km/h on a controlled route, the normal tires created a higher noise level inside the cabin. In contrast, the foam-enhanced tires, with their sound-absorbing technology, made the cabin quieter by 1.5 decibels. This decrease in noise might seem small, but it significantly enhances the overall quietness and comfort of the ride, making the driving experience noticeably more serene.
Normal : Ref
Silent Foam : -1.5 dB
Subjective noise & comfort
In our subjective evaluations, the regular Giti Control P10 tires and the foam-enhanced Giti Control P10 Silent Tires performed similarly in terms of comfort. Both sets of tires scored a 7 out of 10, indicating a smooth and stable ride for each.
Subjective Comfort:
- Normal: 7/10
- Silent Foam: 7/10
However, when it comes to noise, the foam-enhanced tires had a slight edge. The regular tires scored a 7 out of 10 for subjective noise, while the silent foam tires were rated slightly higher at 7.5 out of 10. This demonstrates that the foam technology effectively reduces interior noise, providing a quieter driving experience compared to the standard tires.
Subjective Noise:
- Normal: 7/10
- Silent Foam: 7.5/10
Summary
After testing both the regular and foam-enhanced Giti Control P10 tires, it’s evident that the silent foam technology significantly reduces interior noise. Both tire types offered similar comfort levels, each scoring 7 out of 10. However, the foam tires excelled in noise reduction, scoring 7.5 compared to the regular tires’ 7.
Objectively, the foam tires reduced cabin noise by 1.5 decibels. This small difference makes a notable impact on the driving experience, providing a quieter and more serene ride. For those seeking a quieter cabin without sacrificing comfort, the silent foam tires are a great choice.
Dr Edwin Pang