How Quiet Tyres Work? Top Brands Like Michelin & CEAT Explained

Tyre noise is the biggest concern behind peaceful rides, particularly in EVs and luxury cars. This guide explains how quiet tyre technology works and discusses the technology introduced by top brands like Michelin, CEAT, Pirelli, and Continental to reduce road noise.

You love those breezy rides in an EV or luxury sedan and appreciate how quiet the cabin is – until the tyres start humming on the highway. First, there’s a subtle rumble, and gradually, you hear a buzz. That’s tyre noise, and it’s something that can compromise comfort in modern cars.

Thanks to electric drivetrains and better cabin insulation, today’s engines are quieter than ever. That’s the reason you get to hear the tyre noise. It’s mostly caused when the tread pattern hits the road, rough surfaces underneath, or due to air vibrating inside the tyre cavity.

Reputable brands like Michelin, CEAT, Continental, and Pirelli have come up with acoustic solutions to fix this. Today, you’ll come across foam-lined interiors and noise-optimised tread blocks. Tyre makers are committed to making your rides smooth.

In this guide, let’s explore some tyre brands that have launched quiet tyres.

What leads to road noise?

Did you ever wonder why some tyres sound like a distant hum while others roar on certain roads?

It starts with the tread pattern. As the tyre rolls, the grooves and blocks create resonance. Eventually, it translates into noise. Now, the vibration of air inside the tyre cavity adds to this noise, which eventually leads to the hum or buzz.

Also, the tyre structure is one of the other factors leading to road noise. Traditional tyres lack the internal damping required to muffle these sounds effectively. Without advanced design elements, they simply can’t keep up, particularly when you drive at higher speeds or on rougher surfaces.

That’s why modern quiet tyres are built with smarter materials and engineering to silence the noise before it reaches your ears.

How Quiet Tyres Work – Key Technologies

Tyre brands integrate a mix of several technologies and noise-cancellation features to make your rides quiet. Here are some of the common technologies that help you enjoy quieter rides.

Foam Inserts
Many quiet tyres feature a layer of polyurethane foam inside. This acoustic foam absorbs the sound waves created inside the tyre cavity, particularly at higher speeds. As a result, you experience low echoing, less cabin noise, and a calmer ride.
Tread Optimisation
Tyre manufacturers use multi-pitch tread designs. This means that the tread blocks vary in size and spacing. As a result, the sound frequencies are scattered, which explains why you don’t hear one constant noise.

Additionally, connected shoulder blocks keep the airflow more stable and reduce those sharp noises that arise during cornering.

Airflow Management
Tyre makers integrated special airflow channels and edge treatments into the tread to guide air more efficiently. This minimises turbulence, which means fewer whistling or whooshing sounds on highways.
Rubber Compounds
Quiet tyres aren’t just about design, they’re about feel too. Advanced rubber blends absorb small vibrations and road chatter, which makes your rides smoother and quieter without compromising on grip or handling.

Tyre Brands that have launched quiet tyres

Now, let’s look at some of the tyre brands that have launched quiet tyres.

CEAT (CEAT CALM / SportDrive Calm Tyres)

CEAT has designed its CALM Technology using a foam-based tunnel insert inside the tyre that helps absorb air cavity vibrations. The SportDrive Calm tyres also feature a smart tread design that comes with connected shoulder blocks and variable-width tread blocks. These elements significantly reduce noise and improve contact with the road.

According to CEAT, this technology reduces noise levels up to 6dB, making your rides more comfortable. You’ll come across these technologies mostly on premium sedans, luxury cars and SUVs where cabin comfort and safety is the key priority.

Michelin (Acoustic Technology)

Michelin has come up with its Acoustic Technology to reduce noise. It uses a specially designed polyurethane foam liner inside the tyre to absorb sound vibrations from the air cavity.

Inspired by piano tuning, Michelin also optimises the tread with multi-pitch block layouts to break up harmonic noise. This reduces cabin noise by up to 20%.

Pirelli (Pirelli Quietness Technologies)

The Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS) is an intelligent setup that uses a sound-absorbing foam strip inside the tyre to damp vibrations arising from the air cavity. To reduce road noise, Pirelli has also tweaked the tread design with pitch variation and strategic grooves that break up repetitive sound waves as the tyre rolls. These technologies are for those who love speed with comfort.

Continental (Continental ContiSilent)

Continental has introduced the ContiSilent technology, based on a clever foam insert design. A layer of polyurethane foam is placed just under the tyre’s inner tread to soak up vibrations and cavity noise before they reach the cabin.

You’ll find this technology mostly in premium touring tyres, where comfort is top priorities.

According to Continental, these technologies can reduce noise by up to 9 dB in certain conditions, depending on the road surface.

Table: Tyre Sizes Available with Each Quiet Tyre Pattern

Brand	Model	Available Tyre Sizes
Michelin	Latitude Tour HP, Primacy 4, Primacy 3 ST	255/55 R19, 225/55 R17, 215/60 R16, 205/65 R15, 215/55 R17, 245/45 R18, 225/50 R17
CEAT	SportDrive, SportDrive SUV, SportDrive Calm	225/45 R17, 215/45 R17, 235/55 R19, 235/50 R18, 255/55 R19, 255/45 R20, 235/60R18, 275/45ZR21,285/45ZR21, 315/40ZR21
Pirelli	P Zero, Cinturato P7, Scorpion Verde, Scorpion Zero	225/45 R17, 245/45 R17, 235/35 R20, 285/35 R21, 245/40 R19, 255/55 R19, 275/50 R20, 225/55 R17, 215/55 R16, 235/55 R17
Continental	PremiumContact 6, ExtremeContact XC7, UltraContact UC6	185/65 R15, 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17, 235/55 R19, 255/50 R20, 245/45 R18, 215/55 R18, 235/40 R18, 255/45 R18

Conclusion

Quiet tyre technology has redefined key benchmarks in tyres, like comfort and ride quality, making your drives smoother and enjoyable. With brands like Michelin, CEAT, Pirelli, and Continental leading the way in noise-reduction technology, you no longer must choose between performance and peace.

So, if you’re planning your next tyre upgrade, consider investing in low-noise tyres. With advanced noise-reduction technologies, these tyres can transform your driving experience.

FAQs

What makes a tyre ‘quiet’?

Quiet tyres are engineered with features like foam inserts, tread pitch variation, and internal soundproof liners. These innovations help them absorb vibrations and reduce air cavity noise, giving you a quieter and more comfortable driving experience.

Which car brands use noise-reducing tyres as standard?

Premium manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz often equip their vehicles with quiet tyres.

Can I retrofit my current car with noise-reducing tyres?

Yes. If the tyre size matches your car’s specifications, you can upgrade to noise-reducing variants. Models like the Hyundai Creta, Honda City, Kia Seltos, and Toyota Fortuner are commonly compatible with such tyres.

Do quiet tyres compromise on performance or durability?

No. Brands like CEAT and Continental balance noise reduction with grip, handling, braking and tread life. These tyres are designed safety, comfort and longevity.