Are All-Terrain Tires Louder? (Explained)

There are different categories of tires, all of which are best suited for certain situations.

An example are the All-Terrain tires which are used to get traction on both off-road and on-road surfaces. 

All-Terrain tires combine features of highway and mud tires to give a great overall performance, whether it is off-road or on-road. They are mostly used on SUVs, light trucks, and pickup trucks. 

There have been concerns about the noise level of All-Terrain tires and in this article, we will look into that. 

Here’s the Short Answer to Whether All-Terrain Tires Are Louder:

All-Terrain tires are often louder than regular tires because of their block tread pattern, rubber thickness and their size, amongst other reasons. When driving at lower speeds, you may not hear the noise. It only becomes pronounced at high speeds.

Do All-Terrain Tires Get Louder As They Wear?

Apart from the tread pattern, thickness and overall size of the tires, wear and tear also impacts the noise level of all-terrain tires. 

With time, tires start to wear down and some wear faster than others, which leads to uneven wear. Uneven wear, in turn, leads to fluctuating volume levels and it can get really discordant. 

Are All-Terrain Tires Good for Highway Driving?

All-terrain tires are known for smoothening up a car’s driving on the highway.

Thanks to its open tread pattern, it has enough viciousness to grip a range of surfaces on the highway, from rocks to gravel to mud.

How Loud Are All-Terrain Tires Compared to Summer Tires?

All-terrain tires are noisier than the summer tires because the latter have fewer tread slits and sipes, which reduces noise volume.

All-terrain tires have a way more aggressive tread pattern and so they are very much noisier than the summer tires. 

That explains why summer tires are more popular with hybrid and electric vehicles. They do not need engine sounds to cover up the noise from tires because they are relatively quiet. 

How Loud Are All-Terrain Tires Compared to Winter Tires?

While the noise level on winter tires is way higher than regular tires, it has around the same level of noise with all-terrain tires.

We reviewed a number of testimonies and found that all-terrain tires are a little louder than their winter counterparts, especially during winter. 

Related: Are All-Terrain Tires Good For Towing? (Explained)

What Are the Quietest All-Terrain Tires?

While all-terrain tires have a general reputation for being loud, there are certain ones that are considerably quieter. Below is a comprehensive list of the quietest all-terrain tires:

BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 All-Terrain

This brand is arguably the most popular tire brand and they live up to the billing. Besides a tear-resistant tread design and upper shoulder side wall armor, the product also guarantees little to zero humming noise.

Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11 All-Terrain Radial Tire

These all-terrain tires offer great balance, optimal performance and relatively quiet volumes according to buyer reviews.

They are definitely one to consider if you are looking for quiet all-terrain rides. 

Related: Are All-Terrain Tires Good On The Highway? (Solved)

Kumho Road Venture AT51 All-Terrain Radial Tire

The Kumho all-terrain tires are not the most popular, but that doesn’t make them any less excellent.

They have great tread depth, deliver outstanding performances in snow and rain, and enjoy heat dissipation/durability. 

Buyer reviews also show they offer relatively quiet driving experiences. 

Firestone Destination A/T All-Terrain Radial Tire

Firestone is a trusted brand and their all-terrain tires are some of the very best on the market. We’re talking versatility as well as strong performances across a variety of road conditions. 

They also have an in-built noise reduction technology, making them one of the quietest all-terrain tires and the buyer reviews corroborate that. 

General Grabber AT/X All-Terrain Radial Tire

This set of all-terrain tires are offered by the reputable General Grabber tire brand.

They promise great handling, versatile performances and quietness at a level that isn’t very common in other all-terrain tires. 

Michelin LTX AT/2

These tires are made with a Max Touch Construction which guarantees durability, even wear and a longer tread life. They are also built with the comfort control technology that help reduce noise and engender comfort. 

GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armor

Perhaps the most notable thing about this set of tires is that they are built with Kevlar, which makes for additional strength.

And not just strength, the addition of Kevlar also counteracts possible road noise and vibrations, making them one of the quietest all-terrain tires. 

Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus

Massive side walls, improved tread pattern, and larger tread grooves are amongst the features of the Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus.

They offer incredible grip in severe winter conditions and, despite all the fortifications, are quieter than the average all-terrain tires. 

Related: Are All-Terrain Tires Worth It? (Explained)

Do All- Terrain Tires Cause Vibrations?

Due to their massive tread blocks and open shoulder patterns, all-terrain tires can cause vibration and noise.

Uneven tire wear can also trigger vibrations from the all-terrain tires. 

How Do I Make My All-Terrain Tires Quieter?

All-Terrain tires are generally noisy and this can cause a great deal of discomfort for drivers and passengers alike. In response to that, below are some practices that can help reduce the noise in all-terrain tires:

• Replace with quieter all-terrain tires
• Reduce car speed on the highway when the noise becomes too much
• Soundproof your doors with soundproofing liquid (We advise letting an expert handle this)
• Rotate your tires regularly (Every 5,000-6,000 miles)
• Keep the tires inflated at all times
• Use sound deadening mats for the wheel wells
• Have the tires rebalanced regularly 

What Are the Easiest Ways to Reduce Road Noise in Cars?

Below are the easiest ways to reduce persistent road noise in cars:

• Check and inspect the tires and replace when necessary 
• Reduce the level of speed when driving, if possible
• Use sound deadening mats for the wheel wells
• Soundproof your doors with soundproofing liquid (We advise letting an expert handle this)
• Add noise-repellant weather seals
• Soundproof the floor, roof and trunk 
• Upgrade your stereo if you love music

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