Why is Lexus so loud inside the cabin?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 4
From: Sacramento, CA
Well found part of the answer to my annoyance. There is literally almost scant to no padding under the carpet. Nada, zilch. Just sheet metal then a thin form fitted carpet.
This is what the back looks like eight he seat taken out and carpet lifted up.
This is what the back looks like eight he seat taken out and carpet lifted up.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 4
From: Sacramento, CA
I beg to differ.. Some dynamat does block high frequency sound & vibration. Then let's say the absence of it definitely doesn't help it either. I suspect thinner sheet metal and combined with scant padding.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: CA
i think the 3IS and 4GS is pretty quiet inside the cabin. have trouble hearing emergency vehicles until they get very close to me. However, i felt the RX was really loud and bumpy when i had it as a loaner
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by rxonmymind
I suspect thinner sheet metal and combined with scant padding.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
One of the reasons why the RX may be somewhat louder than Lexus sedans is that vehicles of that type, that have a open interior all the way to the rear of the vehicle, tend to amplify road nose coming from the rear wheel wells....the large open space behind the rear seats sometimes acts as an drum or amplifier. That also used to be a problem, decades ago, when there were millions of station wagons on the road. That's not to say that careful and thorough attention to soundproofing won't work in hatchbacks/wagons/SUVs (it certainly does in some of them), but, in general, it is easier to get road noise out of a sedan or coupe with a separate trunk, closed-off rear seats, or other barrier that separates the rest of the cabin inside from the open rear wheel wells.
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 4, 2015 at 08:22 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,096
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From: Maryland
Have you replaced those crappy tires yet?
Originally Posted by tea
i think the 3IS and 4GS is pretty quiet inside the cabin. have trouble hearing emergency vehicles until they get very close to me. However, i felt the RX was really loud and bumpy when i had it as a loaner
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by SW13GS
Have you replaced those crappy tires yet?
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,096
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Yeah...good point. Tires can make an enormous difference. I've seen them start to howl in as little as 10,000 miles...especially if the alignment isn't perfect and they start to wear unevenly. I'm not sure if this is the tire he has or not, but Bridgestone RE-92 all-season tires used to come standard on many crossover-type vehicles, and, while quite good in the snow for all-seasons, they did tend to drum up road noise as they aged.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 4
From: Sacramento, CA
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 4
From: Sacramento, CA
One of the reasons why the RX may be somewhat louder than Lexus sedans is that vehicles of that type, that have a open interior all the way to thereat of the vehicle, tend to amplify road nose coming from the rear wheel wells....the large open space behind the rear seats sometimes acts as an drum or amplifier. That also used to be a problem, decades ago, when there were millions of station wagons on the road. That's not to say that careful and thorough attention to soundproofing won't work in hatchbacks/wagons/SUVs (it certainly does in some of them), but, in general, it is easier to get road noise out of a sedan or coupe with a separate trunk, closed-off rear seats, or other barrier that separates the rest of the cabin inside from the open rear wheel wells.
I'm just annoyed that they skimped out on this crusial step in an otherwise a nice SUV in my opinion.
Just to be clear I don't think people realise how noise from inside a vehicle can add stress to you on long commutes. It does without you even knowing it. Now having done the doors and cargo area while installing a stellar sound system I no longer care as much about the commute and have slowed down the mph considerably ( 75 for testing) usually doing 65. Instead of 75-80 to get to my destination to get the hell out of the miserable echo cbamber of a vehicle. It's turning into a wonderful cruiser.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,096
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Lol! No not get. But getting REAL close. Went to America tire and they took a measurement with their tire dohiicky thingy and the tread is in the "yellow zone". I suspect two maybe three months tops and these tires will be gone. Man am I happy. Happy, happy, happy. Right up there with the son in law moving out type happy.
