Post by
eaglecat769 »
https://forums.nicoclub.com/eaglecat769-u235982.html
Wed May 13, 2015 10:58 am
I recommend the Pirelli Cinturato P7's HIGHLY. I live in Bellingham WA and commute south towards Burlington regularly. Interstate 5 is rather rough. I purchased a basic decibel meter for $20 from a "prime" retailer before the tire swap. I had a repeatable (day-2-day matching location and speed) reading around 86 dB with the OEM Conti's at around 55,000 on the odometer. The value dropped to about 82 dB with the P-C-P-7's.
82 dB is still freaking loud, so I have begun a sound reduction project. (Look for a post from me in coming months somewhere once I accomplish my goal.) Anyhow... If I drive to the far outside of my lane to avoid worn-down road (say driving in the left lane, my left tire nearly riding left paint in a spot without the reflective markers), the sound level drops to around 73 dB. In other words: problem is ALL the roads. (Previously I lived in Illinois where studded tires are banned. There I never thought the Rogue to be a loud car. Relative silence briefly interrupted by semi-regular rhythm of expansion joints.)
So yes, tires do help, but only so much. If road noise is not the primary contributor for you, and/or you are starting with a much lower beginning dB with the OEM Conti's, your reduction will not be as large.
P.S. The first hundred miles or so they felt a bit "wobbly" to me. I am not sure if that is normal for all new tires or not. But don't let it scare you. They break in just fine. They are much nicer overall, though not quite as sporty imho. But I like it that way.