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XT Staff
/ Sep 10 2024
A soft top for your vehicle can be a fantastic way to switch from an open-top to a closed-top easily. However, soft tops may not have the soundproofing abilities that hardtops or closed-cabin vehicles have. Wind can make its way into the car and at higher speeds it can get pretty loud. Knowing how to reduce soft top wind noise will help you enjoy your convertible without dealing with distracting noises.
Convertible soft tops are incredibly convenient when it comes time to take the top down and enjoy the wind in your hair. Unfortunately, this convenience also means that the top won’t be quite as airtight as it could be. Because soft tops are not as rigid as hard tops, they are more susceptible to the wind and vibrations going on outside the vehicle, especially at high speeds. Depending on the design of the vehicle and the conditions outside, this noise can be a big problem. Soft tops also have more places where air can get inside the cabin of the car. Since soft tops are designed to be as easy to remove as possible, they will have some small spaces that allow air to flow through the top and into the car’s interior. At highway speeds, this can be incredibly distracting and make your vehicle less comfortable to drive. Taking some steps to reduce the noise will make driving your car much more pleasant.
While cars with soft tops will always be a little bit louder than ones with closed cabins or hardtops, there are ways to reduce the noise as much as possible. By deflecting air away from the top and sealing up gaps, you can keep the noise to a minimum without having to sacrifice the convenience of a foldable soft top.
Wind deflectors are an excellent way to both reduce wind noise and give your vehicle a more rugged aesthetic. Options like the RedRock In-Channel Window Deflectors, direct wind away from the soft top and keep noise to a minimum. They can be placed in the window channels and on the front of the hood for an aerodynamic solution to soft top wind noise. These deflectors also enhance the look of your vehicle while offering a practical solution to your wind noise problem.
The area around your vehicle’s windows is a common culprit for letting wind into the cabin. The spaces between the windows can let in a lot of noise as well as let air out of the interior, which is also a big problem for your climate control and the temperature inside the car. A solution like the Sound Deadening Rear Side Window Kit, will close any small gaps in these spaces and reduce noise at higher speeds. Plus, they will give your vehicle’s interior a finished, detailed look with black accents.
Sometimes, the wind coming in through your vehicle’s soft top can be compounded by a lack of a tight seal throughout the cabin. The wind has a way of finding areas that are open to the outside and creating a tunnel that can be incredibly loud. If your vehicle’s door seals aren’t in good condition, they will let in more air or give the wind another place to travel, which can increase the amount of noise. Replacing your door seals with this Full Door Seal Kit, will improve the seal of your car’s interior and keep the noise down while also offering excellent weatherproofing in the process.
Over time, your vehicle’s soft top is going to take the brunt of the elements, including the weather, road debris, and UV rays. This can lead to deterioration and holes that allow wind through and create serious noise issues. Even a small hole or tear makes wind noise louder and it will eventually get bigger as the air flows through it. At a certain point, your best bet will be to completely replace your vehicle’s top. Replacements like the RedRock TruShield Series OE-Style Replacement Soft Top, can rejuvenate your vehicle and give you the protection you need from the noise and the weather outside the car. When you want to be sure that your car is both quiet and protected, we have all the solutions you need. With high-quality parts from leading brands like RedRock and Bushwacker, you can keep the wind noise to a minimum and enjoy your time behind the wheel.
