Posted by Chris L on October 12, 1998 at 22:18:58:
In Reply to: Mich. XV4 v. Pirelli? Acura Legend posted by Robin on October 12, 1998 at 15:07:38:
If noise is the primary concern, look for any tire with small or no lateral grooves. This is what most tire noise comes from. When the rubber comes into contact with the road and then there is a void air can be heard, larger grooves = more noise, faster speeds = more noise. Sipes on the other hand are the small grooves and they are what gives you rain traction, by offering the rain a place to go when the treadblock hits, these do not make much noise at all, and are needed if any wet traction is needed. There is another noise which comes from tires called sizzle which occurrs at highway sppeds and smooth surfaces, this is almost impossible to get rid of by choice of a tire.