Continental Is Betting on Reducing Tire Noise

Tire type, road surface, tread pattern, driving behavior — factors affecting car wheel noise. Source: Continental

Continental talked about tire noise reduction technologies against the backdrop of the growth of electric vehicles, where the absence of engine noise makes road noise more noticeable. The key role is played by the Silent Pattern tread design used in EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S tires.

What is known

The technology is based on the uneven placement of and different angles for the tread blocks. This allows breaking the monotonous hum that occurs when the tire contacts the road. The design is optimized for speeds around 50 km/h — noise is most noticeable in this range.

Continental VanContact A/S Eco. Illustration: Continental

To reduce cabin noise, Continental applies ContiSilent technology — a layer of polyurethane foam on the inside of the tire. According to the company, it allows reducing noise levels by up to 9 dB without affecting handling, efficiency, load capacity, and maximum speed.

Continental emphasizes that these solutions reduce traffic noise without compromising safety.

Source: Continental