Uncomfortable Road Noise

[garygid]

Our local freeways have some fairly long sections that have been ground down for smoothness,
and that reduces the noise a bit, and removes the thump-thump sounds.

Other long sections have a noise-dampening (recycled rubber tires and
walnut shells?) "asphalt-type" coating of some sort that almost eliminates
the tire noise. These sections are a REAL JOY to drive the LEAF on ...
very quiet!

[Herm]

The hardest road surface (concrete) will be the loudest and have the lowest drag, the softer road will decrease your range and noise level. Like walking on wet sand.

[garygid]

The "ground-smooth" concrete is not very loud.

Rough, uneven, and groved surface can be quite loud, even without spalling or potholes.

[91040]

There is a section of the 710 that always sounds like barking dogs from the way the tires interact with the pavement.

Also, I think there was a section of the Pearblossom Highway that had grooves put in it to play "Happy Trails To You" if you drove the correct speed!

[emsik1001]

I can confirm my Nissan Leaf is also noisy at 60-70mph. Here are my dBs test results.

[desiv]

I can confirm my Nissan Leaf is also noisy at 60-70mph. Here are my dBs test results.

So, basically you say this:

In summary, Nissan Leaf is not as quiet as you may think, and it is not just my perception! It actually is quite noisy on motorways and certain city road surfaces.

From what I see on your page, I take it as..
When the noise from outside is loud enough to be louder than an ICE engine (driving fast, bad road, rain, etc), then the Leaf is as loud as an ICE car..
To me, that's exactly as quiet as I might think... That's kind of what I would expect..

But good to see the numbers to back it up..

Thanx,
desiv

[Sondy132001]

You want loud roads ... from Stateline to Las Vegas has to be the loudest road I have ever driven on. I am guessing it's the grooves they have in the road surface for rain/flash floods, regardless it's ear piercing loud !

[aarond12]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30StTQAUPtg

[emsik1001]

When the noise from outside is loud enough to be louder than an ICE engine (driving fast, bad road, rain, etc), then the Leaf is as loud as an ICE car..
To me, that's exactly as quiet as I might think... That's kind of what I would expect..

I was hoping Nissan would pay extra attention to noise reduction, and I would get fewer dBs at high speed compared to a 10 year old ICE car.

I've read somewhere the headlights reduce wind noise, it's a bit of a shame no special attention was taken for motorway speeds, but I suspect they focused on city driving experience and not money saving motorway driving

[SalisburySam]

When I drive over roads with cracks in the pavement, around 30 mph with the window down, I hear both tire noise smacking the crack and a metallic clack as I drive over each crack. Maybe I should keep my window closed.

Absolutely love the phrase: "...smacking the crack and a metallic clack..." Could easily be the beginnings of Pitbull's next major rap hit. I'd reach out to his agent and make an offer.