We purchased a 2021 Corolla XSE in Oct 2020 and are very happy with it. Fun car to drive, sporty, great gas mileage with reasonable power considering. I'd like to reduce some of the road noise and am interested if anyone has done this. I'm not sure if I should address the outer doorskins first or what. I do have some left over Dynamat type material left from another vehicle. Any info is appreciated.
rybern
Road noise reduction
1 reading
Yes, you will get the most bang-for-your-buck with installing CLD on the doors. I'd recommend to treat both the outer and inner skins.
I have the same problem. It sounds like something is going on with my front end. Test drive by tech, stated it was the cheap tires toyota puts on new cars. They purchased me new tires (michelin $1500) and still have the problem. I have to turn on my radio to not hear it. Urgh
I appreciate the quick responses. I thought the XSE and the SE wheels were the same. We're not willing to give up the look to gain any sound reduction. 
Gotta do it via sound deadening. The noise doesn't really bother my wife.
Gotta do it via sound deadening. The noise doesn't really bother my wife.
Also, I'm not afraid of pulling seats out but would like to avoid the center console. Might be able to get by with lifting up carpet.
Make sure your tires are not overinflated. Your 18's should be at 33 psi cold front, and 30 psi cold rear.
You may also consider getting 17" rims and tires.
You may also consider getting 17" rims and tires.
I too bought a '21 XSE Hatch and the rough freeway roads finally got too much just hurt my ears. What I did was buy cheap floor mats from Ross $10 for a set and put them under the Toyota mats. Also had some thick stairway step rugs which went under the seats and under spare tire. Bought some of this stuff from Amazon and put one under each mat. I also took the spare tire out and installed the remaining sheets everywhere I could. This probably reduced the road noise by 15 to 20 percent. The freeway is still loud but my head no longer buzzes afterwards!
u can take ur doors panels and apply dynomat to it, it will help big time, do the same thing for ur trunk and trunk compartment and spare tire compartment. i did that for my 90 corolla gts, it's a 30 years old car and the old sound deadning was just done, i use something similar to dynomat, did my door, my trunk, trunk compartment, spare tire compartment, it reduced road noise big time, im planning on doing the floor also in the future, im just not fond on removing the carpet, but eventually i will.
I'm thinking of doing a bit of sound treatment in mine. My plan is to do the outer door skins mostly for vibration, but the bulk of my effort will probably be applied to the wheel arches and trunk floor, as i bet that is where most of the road is actually coming from.
Glad to know I'm not alone. Please post any photos of anything that you do and share any tips along the way. If you come across a video or any info of interior removal please post here. I'll do the same. I look forward to seeing what you folks come up with.
I took a peek under the carpet this afternoon. It looks well insulated to me. There is 1/2" insulation under the carpet that extends up high under the dash. I'm pretty impressed with what I saw. I plan to peek behind the door panel in the near future. I popped off the drive side door sill trim and kick panel and pulled back the carpet. You can see a solid piece of foam that supports the dead pedal but the insulation us under it too.
You'll probably find that there is little to no sound insulation in the doors of a Corolla. I found that my Avalon had very little in the doors from the factory. For my treatment, I used CLD, butyl rope, Tesa Tape and CCF to quiet the doors. It made a substantial difference. Probably more than you want to do, but I did it as part as a complete interior project (see signature).
The "Dynamat type stuff" is the CLD (Constrained Layer Dampener). That will help with resonance (vibration) of the metal panels. Use that directly on the outer and inner skins of your door.
The "ensulite (thin foam)" is probably a CCF (Closed Cell Foam). CCF is used to dampen high frequency sounds and reduce sound reflections. That is more of a strategic placement product. For example a large piece behind the speaker or a complete sheet behind the inner door card.
If you choose to use it, the butyl rope and the tesa tape are used to stop different surfaces from vibrating or rattling. The tape is great for stopping the little plastic fasteners from rattling. The rope is used for sticking things together, like the vapor barrier to the inner skin as an example. It doesn't sound like you're going to go that far, but at least you know what they're for... The CLD will still give you the biggest benefit.
The "ensulite (thin foam)" is probably a CCF (Closed Cell Foam). CCF is used to dampen high frequency sounds and reduce sound reflections. That is more of a strategic placement product. For example a large piece behind the speaker or a complete sheet behind the inner door card.
If you choose to use it, the butyl rope and the tesa tape are used to stop different surfaces from vibrating or rattling. The tape is great for stopping the little plastic fasteners from rattling. The rope is used for sticking things together, like the vapor barrier to the inner skin as an example. It doesn't sound like you're going to go that far, but at least you know what they're for... The CLD will still give you the biggest benefit.
I still find my Corolla is very noisy even it only come with 16", but mainly on poor sealed road. I think this is a very good topic to discuss
Most journalists' reviews have mentioned about the high noise level of the Corollas with18" wheels on them. I think the 17" would fit the Corolla best. As you said, it would put extra weight on the Corolla to add these sound deafening material and also involved a lot of work. But I remember reading somewhere saying that there are only a few areas of the car needed to be installed with these material and it would make no difference of noise insulation improvement even if you put them all over the car.
Most journalists' reviews have mentioned about the high noise level of the Corollas with18" wheels on them. I think the 17" would fit the Corolla best. As you said, it would put extra weight on the Corolla to add these sound deafening material and also involved a lot of work. But I remember reading somewhere saying that there are only a few areas of the car needed to be installed with these material and it would make no difference of noise insulation improvement even if you put them all over the car.
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If you end up ripping out the seats and the floor please post pics. I am interested on how your sound deadening project turns out.
@rybern:
Yes, quieter tires will help (depending on the before and after models, sometimes a lot), but you can still make a big difference with dampening only. Total ambient noise abatement is a cumulative effect thing. Each reduction in noise intrusion will make an incremental difference.
CLD and CCF will yield the most benefit for your cost and time. I do suggest that you choose a CLD that is better than Noico or similar. Quality makes a difference. I like Kno Knoise Kolossus, myself. Additionally, you don't have to treat everything all at once. You can do it over an extended time to fit your needs.
I've read that MLV/CCF is very effective too but it can be difficult to install. I've not tried it, though.
As far as placement, the largest improvement in my experience has come from the doors first, wheel wells second, firewall/floor pan/trunk third and finally roof (if rain noise irritates you). I've done all on a few different vehicles as part of sound system upgrades. You'll find that long drives are less tiring after you have completed the improvements.
Yes, quieter tires will help (depending on the before and after models, sometimes a lot), but you can still make a big difference with dampening only. Total ambient noise abatement is a cumulative effect thing. Each reduction in noise intrusion will make an incremental difference.
CLD and CCF will yield the most benefit for your cost and time. I do suggest that you choose a CLD that is better than Noico or similar. Quality makes a difference. I like Kno Knoise Kolossus, myself. Additionally, you don't have to treat everything all at once. You can do it over an extended time to fit your needs.
I've read that MLV/CCF is very effective too but it can be difficult to install. I've not tried it, though.
As far as placement, the largest improvement in my experience has come from the doors first, wheel wells second, firewall/floor pan/trunk third and finally roof (if rain noise irritates you). I've done all on a few different vehicles as part of sound system upgrades. You'll find that long drives are less tiring after you have completed the improvements.
I spent all day putting down “Kilmat 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat, Butyl Automotive Sound Deadener, Audio Noise Insulation and dampening” bought off Amazon.
Did all four doors and hatch area near spare. Also did some above the rear wheels in the hatch area. It did make a difference, but these stock avid tires are loud.
I think the material weighed around 17lbs.
It took a lot of effort but I’d do it again if I get another car.
Did all four doors and hatch area near spare. Also did some above the rear wheels in the hatch area. It did make a difference, but these stock avid tires are loud.
I think the material weighed around 17lbs.
It took a lot of effort but I’d do it again if I get another car.
You can go to home depot and buy a tar based flashing that has aluminum on one side or with out the aluminum backing. I am a bit buzzed up on Vodka right now and can not remember what it is called. It is almost identical to car based sound deadening material but less than 1/3 the price. Put it on the floor under carpet, around wheel wheels, trunk etc....Get a hard roller to get it to adhere well. DO the firewall as well. If it does not have hood matting do that as well.
Beyond that OEM tires on the base model or the lower end cars tend to be compromised and noisy! When you get your first set of new tires decide if you want performance or good ride and low noise as they seldom travel in the same design. Touring type designs tend to be lower in noise and performance tires, extreme use like police tires or truck tires designs tend to be noisy!
P.S. Getting M1 0W40, Redline Performance 0W40 or 5W40 or Redline Series 3000 5W30 will likely drop the noiise as well.
Beyond that OEM tires on the base model or the lower end cars tend to be compromised and noisy! When you get your first set of new tires decide if you want performance or good ride and low noise as they seldom travel in the same design. Touring type designs tend to be lower in noise and performance tires, extreme use like police tires or truck tires designs tend to be noisy!
P.S. Getting M1 0W40, Redline Performance 0W40 or 5W40 or Redline Series 3000 5W30 will likely drop the noiise as well.
I just ordered 80 mil Kilmat and Vibro 228 from Ebay:
Kilmat SR 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat Sound Deadener insulation | eBay
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Of the DIY videos I've seen on youtube, most just applied it to the door skins. You're adding some weight to the chassis, but the factory doesn't use a lot of sound deadening to begin with in the door.
I pulled the door card off to take a peek. The video in post #30 makes this pretty quick and easy. Due to the lack of dampening material in the door and door card, I'm very encouraged that the materials I ordered from E-bay are going to make a substantial difference. Car is a 2021 Corolla XSE with the standard audio system.
One lonely piece of dampening material.
There is a little bit of insulation on the back of the door card but I see room for substantial improvement. The white on the upper part is plastic. The white on the lower part of the panel is a fluffy insulation.
Pioneer's smallest 6.5" magnet, LOL. FYI, it's a 4 ohm speaker.
One lonely piece of dampening material.
There is a little bit of insulation on the back of the door card but I see room for substantial improvement. The white on the upper part is plastic. The white on the lower part of the panel is a fluffy insulation.
Pioneer's smallest 6.5" magnet, LOL. FYI, it's a 4 ohm speaker.
I also purchased a decible meter off Ebay so I can see the actual difference.
Digital Sound Pressure Level Decibel Noise Meter Tester Measurement 30~130dB LCD | eBay
Other great features are: Min/Max display function, Sampling rate of 2x/second, Automatic back light display, Low battery indication, Frequency response range of 31.5Hz ~ 8.5KHz. After receiving the item we will either repair or replace the item at our discretion.
www.ebay.com
Check my post. It can give you an idea how to do it.
www.toyotanation.com
Corolla Sound insulation
Hi guys, I was very uncomfotable with corolla road noise. So I decided to insulate my car with sound deadining and insulation metarials. I decided to use CTK materials. They have a sandwich material with 3 layer, vibrodamping/anti-vibration layer(1,8mm), aluminum(0,2mm) , and insulation...
www.toyotanation.com
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