Teslas have become immensely popular since the company was founded in 2003, but they didn't come without their own set of noise complaints. The approach to soundproofing a vehicle like a Tesla Model Y is a bit different than soundproofing a normal car, and we know just how to help!

In The Tesla Model Y, Is the Road Noise Bothersome?

Teslas have one leg up on their gas-powered companions; they don't have engines, so they don't get engine noise complaints (shocker!). But, without an engine, Model Y customers tend to notice the other car noises like road noise and tire noise a lot more. Just like the light shines brightest in the dark, so too does road noise seemingly grow louder without an engine to overpower it.

Other Noise Problems in the Tesla Model Y

Along with road noise complaints, here are some other common noise problems we hear about in Model Ys:

• Wind noise due to doors and single pane glass
• Droning sound becomes irritating
• Clunk or creak sounds over bumps from stiff suspension

Reducing Tesla Model Y ROAD Noise

With a Tesla Model Y, the loudest noises you’ll hear in the cabin comes from the tires and road noise. There are three places you can go with this:

• Wheel wells (exterior and interior)
• Floor
• Doors

Step One: Sound Deaden the Wheel Wells with Spectrum

Sound deaden the wheel wells, to attack the noise at the source. 2 gallons of Spectrum™ will be enough to cover all four wheel wells with (3) 1mm layers. It's the most cost-effective and weight-conscious treatment you can do to reduce road noise and tire noise. We generally see a 3-5 decibel reduction with this treatment, and it doesn’t require any work inside the cabin!

Step Two: Sound Deaden the Floor and Tops of the Wheel Wells

Second Skin's go-to two-step process never fails! First, you need sound deadening material to stop loud, structural noise created by vibrating metal panels that plagues every vehicle. Damplifier Pro™ sound deadening mats are the best solution for this, because it not only dampens the metal, but it constrains it, making it far superior to standard mass loading deadener mats.

Install Damplifier Pro™ with 100% coverage over the tops of the wheel well arches, and at least 60% coverage on your vehicle's floors to stop structural noise.

You can take the install up the "firewall" up to the frunk. If you're hearing annoying droning noise, or even groans from a stiff suspension, this is a spot you don't want to miss! If you have a subwoofer in the trunk, deadening around it can help with resonance control!

Step Three: Block Airborne Noise Coming Through the Floor and Tops of the Wheel Wells

Part two of our go-to two-step process is applying Luxury Liner Pro™ over the top of Damplifier Pro™ at 100% coverage. It's our top-selling vehicle mass loaded vinyl product for a reason. This exceptionally dense mass loaded vinyl fused with closed cell foam makes it perfect for blocking airborne noise as it functions as an unbroken barrier between you and the noise.

Again, if you have that annoying drone noise, it's important to take this up the "firewall" in front of the frunk to help block that out some.

Step Four: Soundproof the Car Doors

Treating the doors is almost as important as anything else. If you want to block wind noise and road noise coming through your doors, add Damplifier Pro™ to the metal of the outer door skin and the inner sheet metal. Put Mega Zorbe™ hydroprobic melamine foam on top of the Damplifier Pro™ in the outer door skin to reduce echoes inside the door cavity and reduce the overall noise coming through. It's important to make sure that the material is not interfering with any electronics or mechanisms.

If you're installing aftermarket speakers, check out our article on sound deadening car doors for professional audio for a deeper look.

Tesla Sound Deadening Projects

The Garage: Customer Projects