Is that because they are made better or just don’t last that long anymoreModern vehicles do not have to be undercoated...It is a rip off by the dealers to get extra money.
Thank you for the idea! Did you find the coating reduced tire noise? I switched to 18" Ridgeline wheels and what Tire Rack and Discount stores (several of each) told me were the quietest all-season tires available. But I have very sensitive hearing, and while others that ride in the PP say the tires are " whisper" quiet, I find the tire noise to be irritating. This after trying two different brands of the recommended "quietest " tires.I used a liquid truck bed liner. Bed liner coating I removed my wheel liners (on my MDX) and painted 2 coats on their hidden side.
Here's youtube video...Trust this guy's videos
Thank you for posting the info re the sound deadening strips. It was very interesting!I read Honda's research info on sound deadening road noise the 20" Passport rims have a sound deadening strip, but didn't know how well they worked until your comment.
Road noise goes down as the amount of rubber, between the rim and the road increases.
You mention the Db levels were the same, between your OEM 20s (with sound deadening strip) and that of new 18s (without the sound deadening feature). Effectively, the sound deadening strip equates to having more rubber between the rim and the road.
Now I need to find out if any Honda/Acura 18" rims have the sound deadening strip and can be used on my Passport. I haven't checked the rims sizes on newer Hondas/Acura, which might be designed to be more sound conscience.
More on Honda's R&D road noise