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Noise in the Tesla

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I have had the Model S for about 3 months and have been plagued with strange noise from the front left wheel weld. After several attempts with the San Diego service center to solve the problem I think they have made progress. FYI I have 19 inch wheels with air suspension. The SC dynamated the car and seems to have reduced the noise, to acceptable levels. I have driven several 85s and 60s with 19 and 21, the noise level in all the cars are louder than my LS 460. Maybe Elon should work on the cabin sound levels. I love the car so don't get me wrong, I just want perfect. :smile:
 
Yeah I would agree, just a bit less road noise would be nice.

As you pull out of your garage, it's the quietness that is the most amazing, mind-blowing, and enjoyable aspect of this car. That feeling goes away tho at highway speeds, where it sounds about the same as other quiet ICEs.


I've heard others having aftermarket sound deadening material added, that appears to be effective:
Squeaks, Rattles and Sound-Deadening

Also, there are tires we could ask Pirelli to make for us too:
Silent 21 tires
 
I have had the Model S for about 3 months and have been plagued with strange noise from the front left wheel weld. After several attempts with the San Diego service center to solve the problem I think they have made progress. FYI I have 19 inch wheels with air suspension. The SC dynamated the car and seems to have reduced the noise, to acceptable levels. I have driven several 85s and 60s with 19 and 21, the noise level in all the cars are louder than my LS 460. Maybe Elon should work on the cabin sound levels. I love the car so don't get me wrong, I just want perfect. :smile:

My other car is an LS460L Exec Class and from the inside it is definitely quieter than my Model S. However, that Lexus is about the quietest car made. Certainly much quieter than other Lexuses (I haven't driven in the hybrid version, the LS600h) and other luxury cars I have driven in. So you are picking a very high standard of comparison. After driving the LS460L for so many years (mine is a late 2007), I get used to the dead quiet of the car - so the Tesla is noisy in comparison. However, I almost never drive the Lexus anymore. :) The Tesla is much quieter with the windows rolled down, however.
 
My other car is an LS460L Exec Class and from the inside it is definitely quieter than my Model S. However, that Lexus is about the quietest car made. Certainly much quieter than other Lexuses (I haven't driven in the hybrid version, the LS600h) and other luxury cars I have driven in. So you are picking a very high standard of comparison. After driving the LS460L for so many years (mine is a late 2007), I get used to the dead quiet of the car - so the Tesla is noisy in comparison. However, I almost never drive the Lexus anymore. :) The Tesla is much quieter with the windows rolled down, however.
LS460L Exec Class - Is it just noise deadening (passive) or noise cancellation as well (active)?
 
Lexus ls460

I used the Lexus as my standard since I have a LS 460. I don't think that is asking too much since everyone says that the Tesla is perfect is all ways. Elon, CR, etc. Just trying to point out that there is room for improvement if some adjustment are to make the Tesla the worlds greatest car.
 
since everyone says that the Tesla is perfect is all ways.
I don't know anyone that says or has said this.

- - - Updated - - -

Just trying to point out that there is room for improvement if some adjustment are to make the Tesla the worlds greatest car.
Tesla has already essentially been crowned this by multiple authorities in multiple dimensions.

"Greatest X" doesn't mean "Best at all categories of X". Very few (none?) quarterbacks are known for being excellent punt returners or front linemen. That doesn't keep them from being hall of famers.
 
Your comparison to a football team is suspect at best. Model S got a perfect rating from Consumer Reports then when some question the less than perfect aspect of the Model S all owners panic. I had correspond with another Tesla owner who stated that he had a noise problem but he is supposed to like the car anyway. That the mantra of some Tesla owners. Lets say it like it is,
 
... Lets say it like it is,

Please take your own advice.
You claimed people claim there is no room for improvement and the Tesla is perfect.
I have never heard this from any owners.

You just stated Consumer Reports gave the Tesla a perfect score. They did not.

Many have stated the Model S is the best car available, and I would be one of those. But that is not the same as saying the car is perfect or that there is no room for improvement,
Lets say it like it is.
 
Your comparison to a football team is suspect at best. Model S got a perfect rating from Consumer Reports then when some question the less than perfect aspect of the Model S all owners panic. I had correspond with another Tesla owner who stated that he had a noise problem but he is supposed to like the car anyway. That the mantra of some Tesla owners. Lets say it like it is,

There is no such thing as a perfect car (Consumer Reports gave it a 99 out of 100 as well) and no one car can be perfect for everyone. It's good for Tesla to get feedback from others of luxury sedans on what they can improve so glad you are passing that along.
 
Your comparison to a football team is suspect at best. Model S got a perfect rating from Consumer Reports then when some question the less than perfect aspect of the Model S all owners panic. I had correspond with another Tesla owner who stated that he had a noise problem but he is supposed to like the car anyway. That the mantra of some Tesla owners. Lets say it like it is,

Sorry you have had an issue. Hope you are loving the rest of the reasons to buy a Tesla.

Doesn't matter the brand, all cars do have and will have issues.

I'm more concerned about how the auto company addresses the issue.

Tesla seems to do a much better job than most when it comes to fixing issues.

Audi - Liked the car, hated the service (probably more dealer related).
Porsche - Had good service, but issues straight out the gate with a $145K car.
MB - Had great service from dealer--but good luck getting corp to reply.
Range Rover - Well that's just a nightmare all the way around.
 
then when some question the less than perfect aspect of the Model S all owners panic. I had correspond with another Tesla owner who stated that he had a noise problem but he is supposed to like the car anyway.
I haven't met anyone like this in person (including myself).

"Perfect" ... Perhaps it's a language barrier thing. The best of X is not the same as "perfect". Ask any statistician or any diet specialist, since you don't like my sports analogy.

"panic" ... Maybe you're using that word differently than I do. "Hey I don't think Y is good about X." "Elaborate?" "OMG don't panic."
 
Semantics can be fun, can't it, cowboys and cupcakes?

There is a vast gulf between "the best" and "perfect". On the other hand, IF - and this is a very, very big "if" - one were to take Consumer Reports as the ultimate arbiter, then there is an immediate problem with a score of 99 out of 100, especially when taken with their reason for not providing the Model S with that single final point.

Sooo....we can pummel CR for having used that rating, I would say.

Now - much more importantly: Mr. Musk has let us know, via his "Master Secret Plan", that for him the important feature of the Model S is that it provide TM with enough revenue, exposure and manufacturing experience in order to provide the necessary step to introduce an affordable EV to change the world. As I read it, Models S & X are NOT to provide purchasers the Finest Of All Possible Cars, but to enable this far more valuable goal.
 
Long term plan: Car automatically becomes a hovercraft above 30mph so wheels don't touch the ground. Road noise eliminated.
Short term plan: Active noise cancelling with microphones in all 4 wheel wells and 1 at the very front and 1 at the back of the car. (All external mics)