that is FITs us well

 

Based on my experience with my 2010 Fit Sport, there's a lot of good information here, especially regarding the time and effort involved and the potential difficulty of reinstalling the interior if you go overboard.

Having said that, I disagree with some of the video.
1) Coverage of butyl/foil layer - I did extensive research about this step, including reading many articles and watching many videos. The consensus is that there is no benefit in full coverage, but there is a cost in weight and money. There are plenty of videos showing that partial coverage of a metal panel reduces vibration to the same extent as full coverage. As for the claim that "the manufacturer recommends full coverage..." well, of course they do.
2) For the Fit in particular, I think it's well-established that the major sources of noise are the doors/hatch, windows (at least for GE8), and probably the roof. We obviously can't do much about the glass, but even before he showed the results I was muttering to myself that the MLV on the floor, with the possible exception of the back hatch area, wasn't going to help much. If sound deadening is something you're interested in, I would start with the doors and rear hatch and see if that improvement (and it will be an improvement) satisfies you. If you want more, then tackle the rear floor and rear wheel wells, and only then mess with the floor of the main cabin. I didn't do the roof but may go back to it at some point.
3) Turning back to the MLV, I didn't attempt it because of concerns with weight and reinstalling the interior but saw very similar sound improvements as shown in the video. I'm not saying that it won't help at all, but at least on the floor I think the improvement will be very small. MLV might be more useful on the most problematic areas (doors/rear hatch) but that would be a pain and might cause problems with reinstalling the door panels. I didn't bother.

The most important point of the video is the very end, where he sets realistic expectations for potential sound reduction. To quote myself from another thread "I would say that with some serious DIY work you can make a Fit noticeably quieter inside, but you're not going to make it as quiet as a newer, more expensive, or more upscale car."

 

After reading this mlv dynamat review I am going to look at what Amazon Australia has.
Partly because they have options that are cheaper than local dynamat suppliers
Partly because IF I spend enough, I get free shipping
& partly because I'm not aiming for OTT soundproofing.
I have some Dynamat Xtreme Door Kit Sound Deadening (305MM X 914MM X 1.72Mm) 4 Sheets, specifically for under bonnet Dynamat Hoodliner (813MM X 1.37M - 19Mm) 1 Sheet - & Speaker backing purposes. The left overs from the bonnet will leave enough for Dynamat Xtreme Speaker Kit Sound Deadening (254MM X 254MM X 1.72Mm) 2 Sheets. Rather than cover everything. I want to reduce panel vibrations first. Installation videos I've seen, show dynamat being installed between the metal door frame & the inner trim. I have been thinking about placing some strips on the inside of each door panel, to reduce vibrational noise, but after seeing by Dynamat UK. I might change my mind. Especially IF I can figure how to fit speakers over the dynamat. Perhaps using a pre-dented piece for the speaker hole might do the job.

 

Yeah I was going to mention the guy used way too much material based on everything I've read. I mean if you've got the time and money to line the whole interior, then go for it. But it's likely a waste.

Basically what I have read is you can go around with a ballpeen hammer or rubber mallet and start tapping on sheet metal. Apply material until the sound is well muffled. I've been told by my local dealer that they usually cover half of the door skins, and apply to the floors as needed.

 

I am not gonna watch the video, but you can find soundproofing threads on here. Mine has pictures as do many others which are better than the one i wrote. Some people strip entire interior and that's the most complete option.

I 100% agree you do not need to dynamat the entire metal. The point is to reduce the ability for the metal to vibrate. Any place with a big flat area is a good place to put it.

Then you also should use a rubber or foam sound blocker between metal and interior carpet. As much of the floor as you can do is great (sometimes there's not clearance). There are thick fabric options that can help but not as much.

The two biggest bang for your buck areas are:
1) The firewall. The engine basically lives in the cabin with you, under the windshield base. Insulate the driver firewall as much as you can. Do NOT block the brake pedal travel ...
2) Under the rear seats, not the floor so much as the rear floor rise under the hinges. I was super surprised this makes so much of a difference. If you stuff a sleeping back under the 3 rear seats you'll notice it's quieter.

Good luck. It's a fun diversion to try to make the Fit quieter.

 

I watched a soundproofing video here before. While in my opinion the noise is the Fit's biggest weakness if you drive on the highway a decent amount, it's almost certainly not worth the effort to do a full soundproofing vs just buying a quieter car. Maybe the two areas fujisawa suggests above could be worth a try, but I have a hard time guessing how much of a difference that would make.

 

"...in my opinion the noise is the Fit's biggest weakness..."
I 100% agree, which is why it was worth it to me to invest some DIY effort to make my Fit as quiet as I reasonably could. It was a noticeable improvement and made my Fit more comfortable to drive. If I could also live in a place with actual paved highways I would be doing pretty well.
There are many quieter and undoubtedly better vehicles out there, but for me and my wallet there was and is no other vehicle which better balances small size/maneuverability with interior capacity/utility, good driving dynamics with acceptable fuel efficiency, reliability, and DIY repairability, and (to me - GE8) good looks.
If I lost it tomorrow, I have no idea what I would replace it with. I've always been a hatch/wagon guy and they're getting pretty scarce in a world of monster trucks and SUVs. Maybe an older VW Jetta wagon or (if I rob a bank) a newer Golf wagon, but I'm a bit scared off by stories of VW reliability issues.

 

That is a complete waste of time. Just turn up the music and enjoy the drive.

 

Just so I understand, if my only problem with my Fit is that it's too loud for my comfort, your recommended solution is to... make it louder? How will that help me enjoy the drive?

 

I agree with those thoughts. Especially about the current craze for BIGGER & allegedly better cars.
I've heard that Recaros fit in a fit. And might have to investigate in a pair. AFTER & only IF my back cannot cope with a trip I have planned, next month.

 

No I clearly just said to turn up the music.

Because it sure isn't worth the time any money sound proofing any vehicle just for daily driving. Want luxury instead of economy? Buy a different vehicle.

 

Sorry, I don't mean to be simple, but every time I turn up the volume on my radio it gets louder. Same for you? Hence, if I am seeking quiet, turning up the radio takes me in the wrong direction. It is literally the worst solution to the problem.

Every vehicle is a compromise. I haven't been able to identify another vehicle that fits my needs better than a Fit and therefore don't want a different vehicle. I like my Fit so much that I regularly look at classified ads with the idea of finding a low mileage spare GE8 to preserve for the future. It is very much worth my time to make improvements where I can. In this case, DIY soundproofing made my Fit noticeably quieter inside which makes my driving more enjoyable.

It seems like the majority of posts on FitFreak are about folks spending time and money to make desired improvements to their cheap, economy-class, daily driver Honda Fit: wheels, tires, suspension, increased fuel efficiency, detailing the exterior, interior mods, LED headlights, learning how to do DIY maintenance, etc. All a waste to you? If those folks want performance tires, or 17-inch wheels, or a lower suspension, or shiny paint, or quality headlights they should just buy a different car. I certainly wouldn't do some of those things, but if it makes those people happy and doesn't hurt anyone else I don't think it's a waste of time.

 

It's been said, elsewhere, a long time ago. to paraphrase the original saying "there are people in this world that fit & those that don't". So each to their own flavour.

Being polite & respectful like Drew21 is, even when you disagree, goes a long way to keeping this forum great to use.

 

Hi Drew, 2016 Fit LX owner here. Currently sitting in the passenger seat as my sister (in the back) keeps asking “what are you saying? I can’t hear you!”

Thinking about soundproofing, and found a YouTube comment that said the following:

Any thoughts on this?
Could I get your recommendation for a minimal treatment process that’d improve our conversation experience without getting too intense effort-wise?

 

First, my only Fit experience is with my 2010, so I can't really speak directly about the newer model. I have heard and/or read that they're quieter than the GE8, but maybe not by that much.

Before messing with my Fit I did read that a lot of noise comes through the firewall, at least partially because of the design of the Fit where the upper strut mounts are under the dashboard. I considered fully removing my dash but my dad (a heavy equipment mechanic by trade) talked me out of it. Most likely because he didn't want to have to pick up the (literal) pieces and help me put it all back together. I worked on the interior firewall and installed Siless foil-lined butyl (similar to Dynamat) followed by a closed cell foam product (also Siless brand) as high as I could get, which was basically a few inches above the bottom level of the dash.

I didn't mess with anything outside of the cabin such as fender liners or the hood. I would be hesitant to fill external cavities like the fenders, even with a synthetic insulation like Thinsulate, which will hold a bit of moisture and definitely trap dirt/dust/salt. Even if it helped with noise it would be a net negative in my high salt driving conditions. The A-pillars might be worth an investigation as I definitely noticed more wind noise after my sound-deadening work. However, on the GE8 there's an airbag inflator behind the A-pillar trim, along with a clip that is guaranteed to break if you remove the pillar, so I decided not the touch the A-pillar area.

I have seen many recommendations for putting sound-deadening materials on the underside of the hood but can't make up my mind as to whether that would help with sound levels inside the car. Maybe if you have a loud intake and drive with the windows down a lot? I have considered pulling off my hood for a day to see if the car is louder inside. If it's not, I doubt that doing anything to the hood would make it quieter.

I have heard of people adding additional door seals. I actually bought 3M door seal material to try this on our previous car (2007 Toyota Yaris - that was a loud interior) but my wife threw it away when we were packing to move... I think you would have to be careful to not mess with the door closing but I don't think this could hurt (i.e., make noise worse) if you want to try it.

My basic recommendation would be the same as in my previous post you quoted. Remember that you don't have to do everything at once. In hindsight, I wish I would have spread it out so that I could have better documented improvements, but I did my sound deadening during Covid, when I had lots of free time and nowhere to go in the car so it wasn't a problem to have the interior completely removed for an extended period.

Start with the "easiest" parts of the car and see if you notice an improvement. Stop when you reach an outcome you're happy with.

1) Doors and rear hatch - you can do these one at a time and therefore won't be caught having to drive a partially disassembled car.
2) Rear hatch floor area and rear inner fenders. Supposedly the rear cargo cover helps with noise. I don't have one and have been put off by the price, but I should get one.
3) Rear floor and especially the area below the rear seat.

Everything so far can be done without removing the front seats and shouldn't incapacitate your car for an extended period of time.

4) Front floor and inner firewall.
5) Inside of the roof - I sometimes think about trying this as I suspect a lot of the "boominess" in a hatchback/wagon/van comes from reverberations from the roof. It would also help during heavy rainfall. On the other hand, I'm hesitant to damage the headliner.

6*) External areas as in the Youtube comment you posted - I have no idea if these help or not. Some folks (as in your Youtube comment) say these are the most important areas to work with. I didn't and was happy with my results. If you try and get major improvements please report back, because I would love to make my Fit even more quiet.

I'll note that at least on the GE8 there are four underbody plugs covering tie-down points that were meant to be installed after shipping. They were missing on my Fit (and apparently on many Fits of the era). I bought them from the dealership for $6 each, but since I had already done the interior sound-deadening improvements I didn't notice much change. For $24 I figured it was worth a chance.

You might also check out the condition of your tires. If they are excessively (especially unevenly) worn they'll make (more) noise. Read reviews about whatever tires you have. Are they generally considered loud? Some tires are marketed as being quiet, and going for one of those could help with your noise levels. I can definitely tell a difference with our Fit and Leaf when changing from the all-season to winter tires, so I have no doubt that tires make a difference.

A final long-shot thought is to check your suspension. A blown shock or strut and the resulting "dribbling basketball" tire going down the highway will definitely create a lot of interior noise.

Here are a couple other posts where I wrote extensively about my sound-deadening experience and even included a few pics.
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...ng-advice.html
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...-proofing.html