996 tire noise
 

I have noticed that my 996 Yoko tires are SO loud that I can't even hear the engine and its hard to hear the radio on the highway. Is this typical for a 996 with 18 inch rims? The tires are not really that worn and are inflated to the proper pressure.

If anyone has any idea what causes this please let me know.. Its a loud growl noise like I was driving on snow tires..

Thanks,
Ed

Which model yoks do you have? If it is an agressive tread pattern (large tread blocks) it will be loud. I don't think the diameter has much to do with the noise. It has more to do with how much rubber is on the road (contact patch). I drive Toyo RA-1s on the street and they are very loud.
I would let someone with a "trained ear" verify that it's not bearing noise.

I think I have the ES100 or something like that... If anyone is around next weekend I wouldn't mind hearing someone elses and letting them hear mine....

Ill buy coffee...

Ed

I've got Yoko Sport AVS (Y-rated) 225/40-18 and 295/30-18and they are a bit loud, but easily drowned out by my radio or conversation. I think the Goodyear GSCs I had on my vette were far louder.

I have the same problem on my 99 996... the SO3 are pretty loud... but I did not buy my 911 for the radio.. :D . I have had Pilot Sports... but they are just as loud. Let me know if you all find an good alternative. Tom

The 17" Pirellis I have roar! At speed you can hardly hear the radio. I plan to replace them for the winter with either ContiWinterContact or Dunlop SP winter sports. The 18" Continental summer tires are fairly quiet and have not gotten noisier as they have aged (8k). Comfortable enough for a several hundred mile trip.

Steve
'99 996 C2

Yoko's tend to make a lot of noise once they get worn, but very quiet when new. My car is making some serious tire noise with the Pirelli Pzero Ass., but Im also in need of a serious alignment. Check your tire wear, maybe you need an alignment too?

Possible solution
 

I'd try a 3 or 4 step process of elimination based on price. First try balancing the tires and an alignment. Misalignment in the rear is more difficult to feel rear wheels than in the front; you would probably agree. If that fails, try looking at your ball bearings. I had this problem once. It got worse as time went on before I realized what the problem was. The dealership was clueless and even replaced a tire, which of course did not solve the problem. I hope this helps. :)

If all of this fails, go with Michelin Pilots. They're the best. Three years of Autobahn driving and lots of different tires later--they remain my favorite for grip and silence.

I agree with holminator on the front bearing issue... I had the same thing happenat about 18K... I thought is was cold tires. $600 new front bearings everything was great!

I was thinking about bearings, but the noise level and sound changes with the road surface, so I think ill go for the balance and alignment.

Something else that I thought was odd.. My rear tires lose about 5 PSI a week. I am beginning to consider using them up over a weekend and just getting some new tires..

Ed