splash noise when driving thru rain/puddles

I've noticed the Ridge makes alot more noise than any other car I've been in when I drive thru puddles or just heavy rain. The spray is hitting something underneath that's not very well isolated/insulated and transferring the noise to the cabin.

I decided it's most likely the support brackets for my running boards getting hit with the spray from the wheels. I bought a can of DupliColor underbody coating spay that's supposed to have rubber sound deadening material in it. I used the whole can and sprayed all the brackets. Of course now it's sunny and 65 degrees so I've not idea if it solved the problem or not, looking forward to the next rain storm.

Anyone without running boards or steps notice the louder than normal splash noise?

I noticed this as well. It is the running boards. They have nothing under them to baffle the sound. On a positive note they also keep a lot of extra road grime off of the side of the truck.

If you want puddles to play in come on up to Oregon I think I may be able to find one or a million.

I think that it is caused by the black running boards. It's core is aluminum. MHO.

Hey Vertrkr,

I was also driving our Ridgeline down in the Bay Area this weekend. Tons of rain! We even lost traction for a split second and felt like we slid sideways two feet, but regained our composure immediately. Other than that, felt very safe and glad we took the truck for New Years!

Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I went to Clayton Valley High! Go Eagles!

Hey Vertrkr,
I was also driving our Ridgeline down in the Bay Area this weekend. Tons of rain! We even lost traction for a split second and felt like we slid sideways two feet, but regained our composure immediately. Other than that, felt very safe and glad we took the truck for New Years!
Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I went to Clayton Valley High! Go Eagles!

Hydroplaning is always very scary, best VSA system in the world aint gonna help a lick when you lose total traction. Go Eagles.

I was very impressed with the quick recovery. It was during the downpoor on Friday night and we were by SFO. I just wonder what would've happened in our car.

I know Vertrkr has a lot on his plate this week and who knows when it will rain again where he is. So I bit the bullet and got one can of the DupliColor Underbody Coating & Sound Deadening spray (Quick Dry) and pulled off the drivers' side running board.

Difference between Vertrkr coating and mine was I did the brackets and the underside of the board as well (I recommend some painters tape over the bolt channels and bolts). 3 coats on each bracket and 3 on the board, yep there went a whole can. I let each coat sit for 15 minutes before applying the next, its damp up here right now.

After finishing up a quick reinstall of the parts (torqued to spec) and off to the shower.

Everything cured for roughly 1 hour maybe a bit less and we were off to dinner. It was raining so I was puddle hunting and it didn't take long for me to find some but they were all on the passenger side drat that's Sunday's project. Finally I found some on my side, OK so I had to drive on the wrong side of the road for a minute there were any other cars. :D Anyway I am happy to report that for $6.99 (no tax in Oregon) I would estimate that the splash noise was reduced 20 - 50% (puddle depth and speed variable need to be factored in).

After dinner back to the store to get another can for the passenger side on Sunday. I'm also considering coating all four splash guards.

Here in Texas it never rains. We have had no rain to speak of in so long I forgot would it sounds and looks like. So, I don't know if I have that problem with the Ridgeline. Anyway, on the rare days it does rain, my Ridgeline stays in the garage.

i also have the running boards installed and noticed that after they were installed i also heard more water noise, i will probably try the undercoating on my boards and i am sure that this will at least help to reduce the noise. You would think that for the price Honda would have had the boards undercoated or used some process to help minimize the water noise.

but i guess it is really not a big deal, and I LOVE my RIDGE.

It's not just Honda, the Westin Chrome Nerf does it too. I think it's due to the hollowness of the bar just resonates sound.

It's not just Honda, the Westin Chrome Nerf does it too. I think it's due to the hollowness of the bar just resonates sound.

Exactly! The Side steps are hollow!

I have the Aires on the RL and I have the Honda Side steps (Oval tube) on the Pilot. The Pilot is MUCH louder. Kinda freaked me out the 1st time I heard it.....I have gotten use to it....

I know this is reviving a very old thread, but...................

I've just installed the H&A OEM Side Steps on my new Ridge. It's been raining a lot here and, yes, when running through puddles and highway tire ruts filled with water, the hollow Side Steps let out a resounding noise!:eek: Shocked me at first, but I immediately knew what it was. The hollow steps are acting like a drum as the water comes up from the front tires. I spent 27 years in the plastic business and we injected a lot of polyurethane foam, both for flotation and sound deadening. I'm going to see if I can locate someone who can fill mine with foam and see if it corrects the problem.