TIRE...FOAM OR NO FOAM

[T3M3T]

I am thinking to get new tires. Can someone tell me if I need foam or no foam? Guy from discount tire told me the foam really makes differences.

Thanks

 

[Aellinsar]

When I replaced my tires, my new ones did not have foam. FWIW, I cannot tell a difference in the sound.

 

[Hblick48]

When I replaced my tires, my new ones did not have foam. FWIW, I cannot tell a difference in the sound.

Replaced my tires with non foam ones on my MS. I also cannot hear any difference.

 

[Pied]

I can't tell the difference in noise.

Handling - Massive improvement.
Efficiency - ~10-15% less.

I got Michelin AS/3+

 

[chrstna4]

I was researching tires a couple days ago and came across this chart that includes a rating for noise:
Comparison of best Model 3 compatible tires (18", 19", 20"), sourced from Tirerack.com ratings : teslamotors

 

[XLR82XS]

When I replaced my tires, my new ones did not have foam. FWIW, I cannot tell a difference in the sound.

+2

 

[jbcarioca]

Replaced oem on both S and 3. cannot tell the difference in sound on either. Can anybody? I doubt it.

 

[qingshan]

I went no foam - for fixing flats, heat build up (just my thoughts) and weight (I know minimal - I put tire weight in my selection process)

 

[Waltjo]

On the M3 mid-range we installed Michelin Crossclimate +, with out foam. We can't detect any difference in noise, probably because wind noise still dominates. Efficiency looks like it may be down 1% or 2%, although the mileage is still too low to be sure about efficiency. Dry pavement handling is very much better.

 

[Hot Cha]

On the M3 mid-range we installed Michelin Crossclimate +, with out foam. We can't detect any difference in noise, probably because wind noise still dominates. Efficiency looks like it may be down 1% or 2%, although the mileage is still too low to be sure about efficiency. Dry pavement handling is very much better.

I would appreciate your evaluation of the tire after a bit more mileage. I’m considering this tire as well. My primary concern is efficiency as noise does not seem to be an issue with this tire.

 

[polyphonic54]

The foam might reduce some resonant frequencies in the tire (e.g. a ping sound hitting hard cement), but it's a drop in the bucket compared to the overall noise issues with the car.

I would avoid foam simply because it makes it harder to repair the tires. I moved to Pilot Sports and do not find the PS sound to be more annoying than the Primacy.

 

[TomT]

Without a meter, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. Don't worry about it.

 

[JBT66]

On the M3 mid-range we installed Michelin Crossclimate +, with out foam. We can't detect any difference in noise, probably because wind noise still dominates. Efficiency looks like it may be down 1% or 2%, although the mileage is still too low to be sure about efficiency. Dry pavement handling is very much better.

You had MXM4s previously?
Please keep us updated if you determine it’s more than 1 to 2% efficiency reduction.

My MXM4 are still in good shape at 23K miles but not a ton longer. I don’t really want to lose any more miles then I’ve already seen. 10 to 15% reduction seems crazy to me for some of the sportier tires out there. I live in southern AZ so really don’t need AS but don’t need sporty and don’t want to lose much efficiency.

 

[Vines]

Last replacement of my P4S I went without the foam and it is louder certainly.

The non -TO version also has a narrower contact patch. I only buy the TO ones now.

 

[Sam1]

Last replacement of my P4S I went without the foam and it is louder certainly.

The non -TO version also has a narrower contact patch. I only buy the TO ones now.

What's TO?

 

[Vines]

-TO is the 2 letter code for the stock tires for the P3D. They are different than the normal 235/35/20 in the ways I pointed out

 

[dirkbike1]

Model S with 21s, freeway expansion joints are much louder without foam. The car needs no extra noise.

 

[Waltjo]

The foam might reduce some resonant frequencies in the tire (e.g. a ping sound hitting hard cement), but it's a drop in the bucket compared to the overall noise issues with the car.

I would avoid foam simply because it makes it harder to repair the tires. I moved to Pilot Sports and do not find the PS sound to be more annoying than the Primacy.

Car and Driver - tested the foam vs non-foam on the Model S (Tested: Do Acoustically Insulated Tires Really Hush Road Noise? – Feature – Car and Driver) you can read it but the main takeaway is..."If the effect appears small by our sound-meter measurements, it seemed even smaller when measured with our eardrums. We struggled to discern any significant improvement,...".

This pretty much represents my experience, I didn't think to measure the sound level and frequency before so I can only offer a subjective opinion. And that is that the tire swap I did had no affect on the noise inside the car on both streets and highways.

 

[webbah]

With 20's the foam TO's are much quieter than those without foam. Perhaps the 18's don't make as much a difference...

 

[Luudcrs]

On my second set of 19's after upgrading from stock 18's. Both no-foam and both seem quieter to me.