Road/tire noise.

[patriotsfan82]

Recommended pressures are 36 psi front, 39 psi rear for my 2.0T with 18" wheels. I'm not sure if the RFB report shows they put 40psi front and 37 psi rear or the other way around, but I will check the tires directly. If they're not the reverse of the recommended pressures, it's only 1 psi off and highly unlikely to make a difference with the now extremely subtle vibration.

I can provide a sort-of update to my situation.

After getting the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires put on, I still noticed some vibration issues - although they seemed to be different.

In the immediate aftermath I did the following:

• Properly set the tire Pressures (Tire place had all 4 set at about 33 PSI)
• Re-torqued all the lug nuts

Since that time, whether through luck or one of the actions, my vibration issue has almost completely gone away. Instead I'm primarily left with a loud interior and one new wheel noise. Not sure if its from the new tires or just something I can hear/detect now that I have different tires.

Basically, it's a very faint (but easily noticeable) rhythmic thumping noise that is directly correlated to wheel rotation speed. Haven't done an exact check yet to see if it is a first-order or second-order noise, but that will be next. From googling, it seems that this could be anything from an issue with one of the new tires to a wheel-bearing issue to a CV-joint issue.

 

[SnazZ]

I can provide a sort-of update to my situation.

After getting the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires put on, I still noticed some vibration issues - although they seemed to be different.

In the immediate aftermath I did the following:

• Properly set the tire Pressures (Tire place had all 4 set at about 33 PSI)
• Re-torqued all the lug nuts

Since that time, whether through luck or one of the actions, my vibration issue has almost completely gone away. Instead I'm primarily left with a loud interior and one new wheel noise. Not sure if its from the new tires or just something I can hear/detect now that I have different tires.

Basically, it's a very faint (but easily noticeable) rhythmic thumping noise that is directly correlated to wheel rotation speed. Haven't done an exact check yet to see if it is a first-order or second-order noise, but that will be next. From googling, it seems that this could be anything from an issue with one of the new tires to a wheel-bearing issue to a CV-joint issue.

Are we sharing the same car?! Mine situation sounds like yours, except I haven't gone as far to replace the tires. At this point, I think the "vibration" is something other than the wheels and tires. I'd actually describe it more of a faint, super low-frequency (~8 hz) oscillating noise. I hear it / feel it in my ears more than in the steering wheel. In addition to your theories, I'm wondering if it could be the glass or something else resonating just enough to cause the noise? I can't think of how else to troubleshoot this, short of a dyno to get the wheels up to speed without the wind resistance, or a wind tunnel to test the opposite. My imagination is getting the better of me...

 

[MerlintheMad]

LOL, you guys. You remind me of my bicycle issues a year ago. Brand new Giant. Bad inner tube. It finally failed around the base of the stem. New tube and the subtle thumping got so subtle that I decided I'd live with it unless or until it drove me berserk. It "went away"; most of the time, anyway. The inside of a car is a shifting audio experience. Just the varying road surfaces alone can mess with us. When a car is touted as "quiet" or even "quieter than other cars", and the sound proofed glass and insulation is described, etc., we expect a huge difference inside the cabin. The difference is noticeable but not dramatic. Such is my observation and opinion. Then we get some coming here who give us a detailed description of the real comparisons: with those cars we already know cost a lot more than the Stinger; and we start to doubt our satisfaction because we are focused on the noises we think we detect. It is a car. Roads typically are marginally "smooth", with genuinely crappy spots often being encountered. When I get to a comparatively pristine road surface, I have one of the quietest cars imaginable. That is the only time to truly take notice of any repetitive vibrations/noises. And if they are very faint or minor, I think the maxim "nothing in this life has any business being perfect" is piece of wisdom to live by.

 

[Big]

That’s all I would be looking to do - tag along for a quick drive in a fellow Stinger owners ride..

 

[Big]

I am in your area and have a GT1 AWD - would be willing to have you take a drive in it for a comparison. I'm away this weekend but the following weekend might work

 

[MerlintheMad]

Maybe what you are hearing/feeling is this: ""When the Electronic Stability Control is operating properly, you can feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle. This is only the effect of brake control and indicates nothing unusual." (manual page 5|57) Or: "VSM Operation, When the VSM is in operation, ESC indicator light blinks. When the vehicle stability management is operating properly, you can feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle and/or abnormal steering responses (EPS- Electronic Power Steering). This is only the effect of brake and EPS control and indicates nothing unusual." (ibid page 5|60)

Perhaps you are afflicted by a hypersensitivity to vibration and subtle sensations and low noise, etc.? Just a possibility.

 

[Waynerm002]

The 2.0T has less insulation than the 3.3T so you will hear more noise from outside. The noises I heard on test drives were tire related but I just remembered when I got my 2000 A4 Quattro, I complained about a noise I was hearing, when I went for a drive with the dealer, they identified it as the Quattro driveline. I was so attuned to it that when the radio was off, I could hear it doing it’s thing as it adjusted the traction around. Was weird at first but I got used to it. I also noticed it on the Volvo S80 V8 AWD we had. We got it used so on the test drive I was listening for everything and the vibration/noise was always present when the radio was off, other than that I ignored it. Could it be the AWD/driveline system noise you guys are hearing?

I know for some folks, in their mind price signifies a certain level of comfort and quiet. I’ve learned this is not always the case. It seems it is based on the trim level you get that will determine the extra length a manufacturer goes to to keep a car quiet. After test driving the Stinger 2.0T I test drove an A4, mid level trim, which cost more than the GT and it wasn’t significantly quieter than the 2.0T Premium nor was it as quiet as the GT. Then again we aren’t talking MB S-Class quiet either. It certainly can be annoying when your new car has some noises but keep in mind if you do somethings to rectify it and you are still hearing some and it’s the same on other vehicles, it might just be the way it is. I’m curious to know either way. I put the 2.0T out of my mind as to me it should be quieter or just as quiet as my hybrid.

 

[JAYP]

A picture is worth 1,000. Words

 

[Waynerm002]

Looks like your dealer wants to be there for you no matter the need. Curious that they place that in a location where very few people look.

 

[WPJoe]

Unfortunately in my opinion this is the Stinger's biggest weakness.
Based on my driving experience (which is generally excellent), I do not agree that this car was designed to minimize road noise and vibration.

The cabin is not very quiet and it does not seem to have been designed to be. I agree that there is quite a bit of road noise (I didnt try different tires) and vibration. There is not much sound deadening material that was used (check out the savagegeese video review) and the piped in noise from the engine with no ability to shut it off doesnt help.

Great car, great ride in many ways, but not in this one (obviously just my opinion)...

 

[MerlintheMad]

@WPJoe I guess I am easily spoiled, coming from a truly noisy cabin to the Stinger. It seems very quiet to me. It isn't going to be as quiet as a dedicated luxury sedan, or a more expensive one with more sound deadening material considerations, etc. But the Stinger isn't a noisy car. The poser here is the claim by Kia that it is a quiet car: that they designed it to be a smooth, quiet ride, a luxurious ride.

"Of course, in order to hear all this highly sophisticated sound, you need a cabin able to hush any distracting noise. So the Stinger features acoustic laminated glass for the windshield and side windows, extensive floor and engine bulkhead sound deadening, and innovative new door sealing to minimize wind noise." (that would be page 21 in the promo book)

Did they lie? Or are some people just more or highly susceptible to road noise and vibration? Some roads are terrible noise makers. No car is going to screen out "any distracting noise" under such extreme conditions. I'm not asserting that the Stinger is one of the quietest cars in existence; but to get the kind of absolute sound deadening that some people demand they will have to buy a car far more costly. And for sure, there are far more expensive cars that are not as quiet as the Stinger's cabin is. They don't try to be.

The Stinger is a package of compromises, with the first intent always pursued: luxury, comfort, utility (roominess) and performance, paired with far lower cost while coming close in all those essential areas compared to the "name brand" luxury sport sedans. They nailed it. But of course you can find quieter car interiors.

The whole shtick with Stinger is quality for less, a lot less. I would say that under most conditions I am wholly satisfied with how quiet the cabin is. When I do my part, that is; i.e. no Sport mode, reduced engine noise in other words, and that means running the RPMs in the low range. And keeping my speed down too. The faster the tires roll the more noise they make, go figure.

 

[WPJoe]

totally fair.
and its certainly a matter of preference.
for me "luxury and comfort" are not areas where I feel like I am very demanding, although I would say quietness and vibration are top of my list for luxury and comfort.
I loved the car but was disappointed enough in its performance in these areas (exacerbated by the engine noise issues) that for me it was a deal breaker on buying the car (which I am totally bummed about!)

 

[MerlintheMad]

totally fair.
and its certainly a matter of preference.
for me "luxury and comfort" are not areas where I feel like I am very demanding, although I would say quietness and vibration are top of my list for luxury and comfort.
I loved the car but was disappointed enough in its performance in these areas (exacerbated by the engine noise issues) that for me it was a deal breaker on buying the car (which I am totally bummed about!)

Fascinating, the different features/failures that are deal breakers. My test drive onto the freeway in a GT2 was completely satisfying. I didn't come up with a single negative. The car seemed perfect: which I distrusted, perversely. I figured that after a little while the "honeymoon" would end and I would see the warts and imperfections. But, I am still waiting. The only disappointment is hearing about others' disappointments: the only one that might be threatening being the paint issues (though Silky Silver is the least endangered, so it seems). And anyway, I love the car so well that I'd just repaint it. In fact, I seriously considered repainting it at once, to get the "competition orange" that I really want. Maybe someday. It will be a little analogous to paying for the wife to have a boob job and plastic surgery (though I would never want her to; the Stinger might be more "demanding", ). We'll see how the Silky Silver holds up.

 

[Waynerm002]

The 2.0T versions do not have the same level of sound deadening as the GT trims and I’ve been in a GT driven up to triple digit speed and the car was quiet. My experience with the 2.0T Premium are the version that lack sufficient sound insulation in my opinion, and based on my ownership of a 2017 Optima Hybrid EX. The GT is not S-Class quiet but it wasn’t meant to be, for the money, I feel it I should more than adequate as I have driven cars from other brands that are pricier and not as quiet. Again, this is for the GT trim. On the 2.0T the noise level is on par with my Volvo S60 T5 R-Design, which I saw mainly road/tire noise as on some surfaces, it lessens. I feel my Optima is quieter than the Volvo but the Volvo is way more fun, if the 2.0 was a little peppier, without the extra noise I would be interested but unless that changes in the 2019 model, then it’s a GT2 for me.

 

[MisterMac]

While this is always a matter of personal opinion/perspective, I decided to do a test last night. I took my 2018 Lexus Es350 Ultra Luxury for a 6 mile drive, and then immediately took my GT2 Stinger for a drive on the same path. Being careful, I set the cruise control at the speed limit in both cars, and I turned off the exhaust enhancement in the Stinger. Neither my wife nor I were able to determine a difference in sound levels between the two cars. Both are luxury quiet and vibration free.

 

[Tobstertx3]

and I turned off the exhaust enhancement in the Stinger.

@MisterMac Can I ask how you did that?

 

[MisterMac]

Sure,

Go into settings, vehicle, custom, active engine....

 

[MerlintheMad]

Sure,

Go into settings, vehicle, custom, active engine....

People keep saying this: but all I've seen is three settings, the lowest being minimized, not turned off.

 

[MisterMac]

Lol, I turned off the Exhaust Enhancement, not the exhaust. Too funny. On that note though (pun intended) I have absolutely zero road noise when my car is off and sitting still....

However, my understanding of the three custom levels is:

Enhanced - pumps an accentuated exhaust note through the car speakers.

Normal - as stated, no enhancement, just actual tailpipe noise.

Minimize - employs additional "white noise" or "sound cancellation" to offset the normal exhaust from tailpipes.

In the case of my test drive, I put it into minimize mode. My assumption is that more closely mimics the active noise cancellation in my Lexus...Very quiet.

 

[SnazZ]

However, my understanding of the three custom levels is:

Enhanced - pumps an accentuated exhaust note through the car speakers.

Normal - as stated, no enhancement, just actual tailpipe noise.

Minimize - employs additional "white noise" or "sound cancellation" to offset the normal exhaust from tailpipes.

In the case of my test drive, I put it into minimize mode. My assumption is that more closely mimics the active noise cancellation in my Lexus...Very quiet.

Anyone know of a table or something that shows which steering, AWD (where applicable), transmission/engine, exhaust mode settings correspond to which Drive Modes? I'm starting to wonder if what I'm hearing as road/tire/wind noise is really coming from the speakers for noise cancellation.