A customer says their car makes more noise on asphalt than on concrete road surfaces. Which of the following could be the cause?

The noise that a car makes can vary based on the type of road surface. In this case, aggressive tire tread patterns can significantly influence the level of noise produced when driving. Tires with aggressive tread patterns are designed to provide better traction on loose surfaces but can generate more noise on smooth surfaces like asphalt compared to the harder, more textured surface of concrete. The tread design adds to the road contact sound, making it more pronounced on particular surfaces.

On asphalt, the rubber can make contact with the surface in such a way that the tread pattern's design creates a resonating noise that is less noticeable on concrete. This sound output is a result of the interaction between the tire and the characteristics of the road material, showcasing how tire design plays a critical role in overall vehicle noise.

It's important to consider other potential sources of noise, but in this scenario, aggressive tread patterns are a primary cause due to their direct impact on how sound travels through the tire to the vehicle's cabin based on the surface texture below.