Silence is golden – 7 ways to dramatically increase the perceived value of the vehicle

Silence is golden – 7 ways to significantly increase the perceived value of your vehicle

Thanks to advances in materials, technologies and techniques, manufacturers can now offer vehicles that are compact, more comfortable and quieter. As a result, cars and engines have become smaller, smarter and quieter.

But this highly refined and comfortable driving experience, which we all want, has had an unexpected side effect: drivers can now hear even the smallest noises emitted by the car.

Squeaks, vibrations and rattles can be seen as a sign of poor construction quality, which is why manufacturers take such care to design interior systems that do not produce noise.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is largely due to mechanical impact between parts or components of the vehicle. But this must be addressed, as it can affect driver comfort and experience of the interior. Here are some ways to address this problem:

7 ways to handle NVH

Specific development

Manufacturers rely on suppliers to perform road and track tests on all individual vehicle components. If you are using the right supplier, this process should be thorough and rigorous and include noise suppression compared to the intended specifications.

Design and Materials

The design chosen, the materials used and the refining process all contribute to the level of noise emitted, especially in luxury vehicles. But often (and not wrongly), performance requirements may be given priority over noise suppression, so this must be taken into consideration when choosing a particular model.

Manufacturer’s beneficial features

Incorporating the OEM’s advantageous features (such as chamfered ends or adding openings to enhance the brake pads to reduce noise) will go a long way to reducing NVH.

Replace any corroded parts

When replacing a part, all surrounding components must be taken into account, as these are often corroded, worn or missing, which – even if the corrosion is extremely minimal – will result in an increase in NVH despite a newly installed part.

Consider your choice of lubrication

Each component must be fully lubricated to prevent further corrosion. Lubricants have a key role to play in preventing noise intrusion, squeaking and other operating problems. But there is no one solution for everyone. Think carefully about your choice of lubricant. For more information, see the link at the bottom of this article.

Clean all components

Replacing a part without thoroughly cleaning the components in question will cost time and money, but can also lead to unwanted movement – resulting in increased NVH.

Use quality parts

Make sure that you assemble quality parts and accessories that are suitable for the application, both in terms of size and specification. Failure to do so will result in unnecessary movement and corrosion, which will increase NVH.

The evolution of automotive design standards must respond to a growing list of demands. Engineers, designers, suppliers and manufacturers are all under increasing pressure to perform. If you want to keep up with these changes, it’s important to focus on long-term value over initial costs.
For more information on noise prevention and the many other benefits of choosing the right lubricant, download the latest eBook from the lubricant experts Krytox™, Choosing the Right Automotive Lubricant: Ensuring Optimal Performance for Extended Vehicle Life.

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Source : Dge-europe.com