we are experiencing ,we feel, more than normal road noise, in 0ur 2003 xlt escape. The tires are continental contitrac suv and was dealer checked out. anyone else? oh, and driving in front wheel drive.

 

I also own a 2003 xlt and reciently had my tires rotated (same as yours) and since then am hearing (hard to describe) but something similar to a whining or groaning noise that varies in pitch based on the r's. To me, it sounds like a wheel bearing??
I am considering having my dealer look at it but feel a bit stupid since there may not be anything wrong with the truck.
Anyone having a similar experience???

 

We've had horrible road noise since new. Nature of the beast I'm afraid. 02 Tribute. We will not be buying another.

 

Most likely it's the cheap tires. Mine came with General SUV tires and had terrible noise. Replaced them with some decent tires and I haven't had a problem since.

 

You may be on to something.... Ours are the Continental SUV tires.. they are about 1/2 gone or more. Seems it has been getting louder as time goes by.

 

I belong to another forum/site and several people have had problems with factory tires. I drive highway miles only so I switched to some Yokohama Touring tires a few thousand miles back. Huge difference in road noise and ride. Even if you want to stay with an A/T tire, going to a quality tire can make a difference.

 

Second that, if you want to reduce the road noise then you will have to get rid of the Cont's.

 

I have the same problem with my 2003 Escape. It is almost certainly the lousy tires that come with it. I had the dealer rotate and rebalance the original tires and there was a world of difference for a while, then it started up again. It's the tires. On my new F150 I got the dealer to switch out the Continentals for some Michelins on another truck. Don't take your next Ford with these crummy tires. I will never have another set of Continental tires except maybe for my lawn tractor.

 

Since 2001, one of the most identifying characteristics of the Escape is the inordinate level of road noise compared to other SUVs/Trucks despite having the windows rolled up and cruising on smooth asphalt. The body construction does not attenuate sound well. My cheap fix: turn on the radio.

 

My 2005 has the factory tires, I had to turn up the music to forget I am driving with cheap tires. At 65 mph on brand new snooth freeway, it is pretty quiet. On other road, it is too annoying.
Anyone else have suggestion on quiet tires ?

Another noise related problem I have is when wind blow from the left side.

 

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Drive an 01-04 Escape, the 05 is a huge improvement due to sound dampening they installed even with the cheap tires. If you want SUV tires, many are happy with the Yokohoma Geolanders, Bridgestone A/T Revos and Michelin Cross Terrains. I liked my Yokohoma Avid Touring tires since I drive all highway.

Is the noise actually wind noise or a rattle? I had a problem where the plastic cover on the bottom of the outside mirror would rattle when the wind was blowing against the driver's side.

 

My 2001 had increased road noise. Jack up the front end and test the wheel bearing by grabbing the tire and tugging on the edges. It should not wobble. Mine left front wobbled noticeably and the bearing was replaced under ESP. Still noisey but not as bad.

 

what about other SUV's, do they gernally have more road noise than a regular car?

 

I replaced the crappy Contis on my Tribute at 1200 miles. Put on Firehawk Indy 500's and have a 50% noise reduction They are also pretty cheap and have the highest rating of all tires in their class on tirerack.com. The Firehawks look awesome, too!