I should add that my previous 2 Ridgelines were both 2019 RTL-T's (one new, one slightly used).

 

Hello all.

I just took delivery last week of a new RTL (Ridgeline #3) and am for the most part, delighted to have one again. I've been driving it about 6 days now and have about 200 or so miles. Since the day after I brought it home, I've been noticing what sounds like a kind of a choo-choo noise from the tires, or at least that's where I think I'm hearing it.

I drive mostly hightway, at speeds of up to 65 (at least so far). The frequency of the noise picks up the faster I go, but I also notice it is comes and goes depending on the road surface.

I'm used to the previous FIrestone Destination tires that were on my 2019's which I never noticed any noise from. Looks like there's a different version on this 2023 that have knobs on the edges of the tread. Is that what I'm hearing? I'm almost ready to go back to the dealer and ask them to let me drive another RTL. (Maybe RTL's have little sound insulation?).

Any opinions or real life experience is appreciated, Thanks.

I'd watch for unusual tire wear and see if the noise persists after the first tire rotation, it may be perfectly normal..

 

When I have had that noise, it's either been the tires or a bad bearing. Either way I would take it in to the dealer and have them do a ride-along so they can confirm the noise and offer a fix.

 

Yeah, am starting to think it's worth a trip to the dealer myself, though it's going to mean a 90 mile rd trip. It's definitely a chugga chugga chuuga sound... If not tires or a bearing, then wonder what else it could be? (I looked but see no nail in any of the tires.)

Yep, my 2022 RTL-E had what I believe you are experiencing as well and I could never figure it out. It's like a resonating droning road noise that emanates into the cabin over older asphalt or some concrete. New smooth asphalt it was quiet.

You can try the dealer, mine just chalked it up to road noise and "normal". It sure was annoying.

It's a long shot but you could try different tires. That was my next step before winter but then I traded it in.

Yes I hear it mostly on my daily drive on the Balt/Wash Pkwy. The pavement is really old.

I used to wonder how folks could stand the highway noise of real off road tires. These are nowhere as knobby, but the sound is anoying! (Not as loud obviously but still,,,)

 

Yes. My '22 has the same tires and they will talk to you at 40mph+. Soon as I get these stock tires worn out, they will get replaced with something like Michelins.

 

Soon as I get these stock tires worn out, they will get replaced

Good news is it shouldn't take too long to wear 'em out...

 

(Maybe RTL's have little sound insulation?).

Any opinions or real life experience is appreciated, Thanks.

My 2021 with the sidewall tread was no louder than my 2019 or 2017 without the sidewall tread.

The RTL-E and Black Edition have more sound insulation than the RTL-T and below.

RT/RTS/Sport - the loudest Ridgelines
RTL/RTL-T - adds acoustic windshield and foam in the doors
RTL-E/Black Edition - adds insulation below the carpet

 

Thanks ZRog.

So to all, my next question would be how much of a bad idea would it be to get some aftermarket place (stereo shop?) to add some insulation under the carpet. I'm not crazy about the interior being strpped (and possibly messing up air bag or other connections) and then there is the expense...

 

Yep, my 2022 RTL-E had what I believe you are experiencing as well and I could never figure it out. It's like a resonating droning road noise that emanates into the cabin over older asphalt or some concrete. New smooth asphalt it was quiet.

You can try the dealer, mine just chalked it up to road noise and "normal". It sure was annoying.

It's a long shot but you could try different tires. That was my next step before winter but then I traded it in.

 

I've had a couple of sets of tires on different vehicles that would make similar noises if they had been sitting for a good while (a day or so). Turned out the bottom of the tread developed a flat spot from sitting and would make that noise for several miles. When they had 'warmed up' some the noise always disappeared. The softer the rubber the more likely to flat spot. I have noticed no such noise on my 21 Sport with the same tires mentioned here.

 

If you dont go off road, I'd try some nice Continental or Michelin all season before the insulation. Tires would be less risk and probably less expensive.

 

Check tire pressures. Try rotating the tires to see if the noise moves.

 

Both are great suggestions, especially rotating the tires.

 

I have a 2023 RTL with the same tires at about 1600 miles. I've not noticed any unusual tire noise. In fact, I'd say the tires are fairly quiet. I did notice the dealership had all four tires inflated to 40 psig. I haven't adjusted yet. Maybe that's a difference?

 

I did notice the dealership had all four tires inflated to 40 psig.

Vehicles are shipped from the factory with higher tire pressure to reduce flat-spotting while they sit in transit or on the lots. Dealers are supposed to check and adjust tire pressure as part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection, but they often skip most of the PDI steps so they can move on to the next job since they are paid by the job. This results in incorrect tire pressures, missing body plugs, missing tailgate emergency release covers, and more.

 

Thanks EC. A previous poster (GA RTL-E) mentioned his tires start to talk at 40mph and above. I notice the same thing. And as someone else mentioned, it's louder on older pavement. It is what it is I guess. I will just live with it until the tires wear out, then spring for some Michelins or Continentals.

Thanks to all who replied.

 

The black piece is the tailgate emergency release cover.

Emergency tailgate release cable cover

So after taking delivery of my truck I found(with the help of this site) that I was missing a cover with keyhole for the tailgate emergency release(open).I think this may only be for RTL-Es and above but I could be wrong. I went to dealer and they were able to order the cover which came in today...

www.ridgelineownersclub.com

 

zroger73 thanks! You sure called it! (tire pressure and cover).

Ok, I just found this video and saw how to install the cover. That's all set now. Guess the light gray piece is the only mystery for now.

 

Run your hands over the tires. See if you can feel any feathering or cupping.

 

The plastic cover looks like the cover to access the rear seat back hardware.

 

The plastic cover looks like the cover to access the rear seat back hardware.

Very interesting. I thought this must be it for sure, but then I realized my interior plastic is black. I even looked but am not missing a cover there. But thanks.

 

2

 

My RTL-E was delivered from the dealer with significant wheel misalignment. It was bad enough the lane keep assist would weave back and forth between the lines like a drunk driver. It might be worth having the alignment checked before you put too many miles on the tires.

 

That sounds like normal behavior of Honda's LKAS - at least that's how it has worked on at least six Hondas I've owned with the feature and none of them exhibited any symptoms of wheel misalignment.

 

...and I'd know that if I'd ever turned it back on after the alignment! I never have. The need for alignment was spotted through abnormal tire wear. My bad for assuming the drunken weave might have been related.

 

I've got an appointment at the dealer to have things checked out. Since the dealer missed my tire pressure adjustment and installation of the tailgate emergency release lock cover, they may have missed the body plugs at prep time as well.

Won't know for about another week and a half due to some planned travel, but will update this thread once I have them take a look at things. I hear they want to road test the car themselves, which seems overkill as all I want them to do is verify the plugs are in place. But, what the heck, they may discover something else.

 

You can do that yourself - just look underneath the vehicle from the side to see whether or not there are rubber plugs in the stadium-shaped holes in the location depicted in post #20 in this thread.

 

Roger, where would we be without you!

I just looked underneath the truck. It sure looks like they're missing!

You can see in the 2nd photo how close this is to the tire. The other one is as well.

Thank you for your help!

 

I meant to add- does anyone know what the primary function of the plugs are? Keep noise out? Water (or salty water)?
Both?

 

Noise? Possibly.

Water? They fit loosely to allow water to drain.

And.. sorry for not containing all these thoughts in a single post, but, why is this left to Pre Delivery Inspection and not done at the factory?

The holes they seal are used to secure vehicles during transport - that's why they are shipped with the vehicle, but not installed, and intended to be installed by the dealer during PDI.

Anyone know what these are? (Rubber Plugs?)

Found these in the glove box along with a wiring harness. They are about the size of a quarter. Anyone have an idea what they are? I think the dealer did a poor PDI, found a razor blade on the floor and the positive cover over the battery was left in the up position. Thanks in advance

www.ridgelineownersclub.com

 

And.. sorry for not containing all these thoughts in a single post, but, why is this left to Pre Delivery Inspection and not done at the factory?

 

ZRoger73- another helpful post. Thank you.

I checked my glove box and sure enough, the plugs were in the bag holding my owners manual.

So, I pressed them tightly into place... But your post says they should fit loosely? Do I need to back them out? If I don't sounds like water will be trapped, but if I do, they will somewhat hang down and not be flush with the surrounding undercarriage.

I have to say that the tire noise was less pronounced after pushing these plugs in. So if I have to back them out a bit, am thinking I may lose some of the benefit there.

I read all the posts in the linked thread btw. Some folks say they have ordered an extra set (you may have been one of them?) as there are 4 holes to plug in all...