EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHEEL RESONATORS

Have you noticed that your new car offers a much quieter ride than your old one? Your wheels may be equipped with resonators –– a relatively new wheel technology that can significantly reduce noisy tire sounds in the cabin of your car.

Resonators can make for a much more peaceful driving experience, but they also require special care during seasonal changeovers.

Read on for everything you need to know about wheel resonators and how to maximize their lifespan.

What causes noisy tires?

Noise from car tires is caused by resonance that occurs in the hollow cavities of tires when driving over uneven road surfaces.

This resonance –– which also creates vibrations –– transmits into the cabin of the car through the suspension, making for a noisy drive.

What are wheel resonators and how do they work?

Wheel resonators are a relatively new technology developed to help reduce tire noise.

Installed onto the centre of the wheels, resonators are made from a lightweight resin and connect to the wheel using centrifugal force –– avoiding the need for connecting parts, such as bolts.

Wheel resonators essentially use resonance to cancel out resonance, counteracting tire noise by creating a vibration at a special frequency that muffles the resonance from your tires.

Well-designed resonators –– like those developed by Honda, a pioneer of this technology –– can significantly reduce tire noise, even while driving at high speeds.

To learn more about Honda’s wheel resonator system, click here. 

*Image of Honda Wheel Resonator System shown above,  Ⓒ Copyright Honda Global (https://global.honda/innovation/technology/automobile/Noise-reducing-wheel-picturebook.html). 

How can I find out if I have resonators and what do I need to know about maintaining wheels equipped with resonators?

If you’re not sure whether or not your wheels are equipped with resonators, come visit us at Tire Terminal for an assessment by one of our wheel specialists or contact your vehicule’s manufacturer. This information may also be available in the owner’s manual of your vehicle.

It’s critical to know whether your wheels have resonators: any damage to resonator-equipped wheels will require entirely new wheels, and special care is needed during seasonal tire changeovers.

At Tire Terminal, we use the Revolution™ tire changer with WalkAway™ operation to safely and effectively change tires with wheel resonators, without causing damage.

Contact us today to learn more and book your changeover appointment!