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I have a Ford Ka which I like except for long journeys where I find it rather noisy. I believe larger chips are now being used on roads and they cause a lot of road noise. How can I reduce this discomfort? Is there a suitable fabric, and where would be the best position for sound insulation?

Margaret

from the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

I'm not sure you will ever overcome this noise issue.

Some NZ roads are extremely bad for their course surfaces and in-cabin road noise has been an issue for many years especially since local assembly of cars stopped in the late 1990's.

In those days, carpets and underlay were thicker to try and suppress road noise and tyres were manufactured and designed locally to suit NZ conditions.

The other point to remember is vehicles like the Ford Ka were primarily designed for more urban than highway use and certainly were never built as luxury vehicles where eliminating road noise is more of a priority.

Spraying an under-seal (talk to a panel beater) product under the wheel arches may help, but no guarantees.