How do you eliminate noise, squeaking and vibration in the vehicle interior?
Silence – a key factor in onboard comfort
For several decades, automotive manufacturers have been working to reduce engine noise, aerodynamic noise and rolling / road noise in order to improve passenger comfort. However, as background noise levels decrease, squeaks, rattles, chirps and vibrations from interior and exterior components become much more noticeable – and therefore more critical in terms of perceived quality.
With the rise of hybrid and electric vehicles, the NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) challenge has become even more central: without combustion engine noise to mask defects, the slightest parasitic noise in the cabin can be immediately perceived by the driver as a malfunction.
In this context, Samaro, distributor of Krytox™ lubricants, supports OEMs and Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers in reducing noise and squeaks associated with dashboards, consoles, trim parts, latching systems, door seals, sunroofs and other sensitive interfaces. By combining field technical expertise with the high performance of Krytox™ lubricants, Samaro helps NVH teams to make their solutions more robust and to secure acoustic comfort in vehicle interiors over the entire service life.
The reduction of NVH (squeaks, rattles, etc.) is becoming increasingly important with the emergence of electric and hybrid vehicles.
NVH engineers regularly rely on Krytox™ lubricants to solve in-vehicle noise issues related to dashboards, center consoles, closures and latches, as well as external components such as door seals, trunk lid seals, weatherstrips, sunroofs and suspension bushings.
Why Krytox™ lubricants?
Krytox™ lubricants are high-performance PFPE (perfluoropolyether) oils and greases. They differ from conventional hydrocarbon-based lubricants in several key aspects that are critical for the automotive industry:
Material compatibility and surface safety
Unlike hydrocarbon-based lubricants, Krytox™ lubricants are chemically inert and compatible with:
- most plastics used in interiors and trim,
- elastomers (seals, weatherstrips, foams),
- textiles and leather,
- automotive paint and varnish systems.
👉 They do not compromise either the appearance or the mechanical integrity of the components to which they are applied.
Durable performance over the vehicle’s lifetime
- Their low volatility limits drying over time: the lubricating film stays in place.
- They are resistant to water washout, salt spray, steam, detergents and other car-wash chemicals that tend to remove other lubricants.
- Krytox™ oils and greases create a thick lubricating film that separates moving parts and prevents squeaks, vibrations and rattles during vehicle operation.
Result: a durable NVH solution, designed to last for the entire vehicle lifetime.
Designing unique, quiet vehicle interiors
Modern interiors combine many different materials:
metal, textiles, leather, elastomers, glass, polymers, decorative inserts, soft-touch coatings, etc.
These materials are chosen for their aesthetics, surface feel, colorability and dimensional stability.
But this forces design engineers to:
- multiply contact interfaces (clipped, articulated or sliding parts),
- absorb assembly tolerances,
- while maintaining a “premium” perception: no parasitic vibrations, no squeaks when using the center console, adjusting the seat or opening a storage compartment.
Krytox™ lubricants make it possible to treat these interfaces without altering the visible appearance of the parts, eliminating unwanted noises while preserving the finish.
Practical case: friction noise in the cabin – intervention without disassembly
Many parasitic noises come from friction between two surfaces (plastic/plastic, plastic/rubber, trim/structure) in an area accessible from the cabin.
In such cases, it is often possible to implement a corrective action without disassembly, by applying a high-performance oil locally.
1. Is there any possible contact with the passenger?
👉 Yes: in this case, preferred oils are those that are:
- very low surface tension (good wetting),
- compatible with all plastics and elastomers used inside the cabin,
- applicable as a very thin film, almost invisible.
👉 No: even in the absence of direct passenger contact, the same solutions apply whenever you need:
- a corrective action without disassembly,
- on a defect of the friction type (squeak, creak, chirp).
In both cases, the product requirements remain the same: material compatibility, durability, discretion and NVH efficiency.
2. Is a corrective action without disassembly required?
👉 Yes: the intervention then consists of very localized application:
- micro-brush,
- micro-applicator,
- syringe / fine cannula,
directly on the friction zone, in minimal dosage.
3. Nature of the defect: friction or impact?
👉 Friction (continuous or repetitive noise during part movement, loading, or body torsion):
the following products are recommended:
PFPE oil with very low surface tension, compatible with all plastics and elastomers.
Particularly suitable for:
- plastic / elastomer interfaces,
- accessible slides and guides,
- friction zones on moving parts (flaps, lids, small doors).
PFPE oil with very low surface tension, compatible with all plastics and elastomers.
Its lower viscosity facilitates:
- penetration into tight clearances,
- treatment of fine mechanisms,
- access to confined areas where a very thin film is required.
In both cases:
- very small amounts are sufficient,
- the lubricating film eliminates the friction causing the squeak,
- the intervention is discreet and does not alter the appearance of parts or passenger comfort.
Implementation: a few best practices
To get the best from Krytox™ lubricants in the cabin:
- Accurately identify the source of noise (dynamic tests, targeted pressure, body twist, etc.).
- Clean the area to be treated if necessary (dust, visible residues).
- Apply Krytox™ in a very thin layer only on the contact area.
- Test the component (opening/closing, manipulation) to validate noise elimination.
- Document the solution (Krytox™ reference, treated area, approximate quantity) to ensure repeatability in production or after-sales service.
The use of different materials combined with increased demand to eliminate noise, squeaks and vibration puts additional pressure on design.
Design engineers must manage multiple material interfaces inside vehicle cabins without generating disturbing noises. Quieter interiors and high-quality finishes are now essential for modern vehicles.
Comparative performance of lubricants
Reducing noise and vibration – the benefits of Krytox™ lubricants
Key benefits of Krytox™ lubricants for vehicle interiors
Krytox™ lubricants (oils and greases) offer a set of advantages that are particularly well suited to NVH requirements:
- Easy to apply, in very small quantities.
- Low volatility and low outgassing, even in hot environments.
- Visually undetectable: do not alter the appearance of surfaces.
- Non-staining on most plastics, elastomers and textiles.
- Non-migrating: stay in place on the treated area.
- Multi-material compatibility (plastics, rubbers, paints, varnishes).
- Effective for the entire vehicle lifetime, even under severe conditions (humidity, washing, temperature variations).
- Suitable for non-disassembly interventions, especially with Krytox™ GPL 103 and GPL 105 oils for friction-related noises in areas accessible to the passenger.
Vehicle interiors and elimination of disturbing noises
Krytox™ lubricants are commonly used to reduce friction and minimize sliding. They reduce or eliminate noise, squeaks and creaks.
Typical Krytox™ application areas include:
❓ FAQ – Krytox™ lubricants and elimination of cabin noise
🔹 Why choose Krytox™ lubricants instead of a “standard” lubricant?
Krytox™ lubricants are chemically inert and compatible with the plastics, elastomers, textiles and paints used in the cabin. They resist time, humidity and washing and remain effective over the long term, whereas standard lubricants can dry out, migrate or stain.
🔹 Are Krytox™ GPL 103 and GPL 105 compatible with all plastics and elastomers?
Yes. Krytox™ GPL 103 and Krytox™ GPL 105 are PFPE oils with very low surface tension, compatible with all plastics and elastomers. They can be used on most materials found in the cabin without causing degradation or swelling.
🔹 Can these products be used in areas accessible to the passenger?
Yes. When applied in a thin, localized layer, Krytox™ products remain virtually invisible and do not alter the appearance of components. They are therefore suitable for areas accessible to passengers, provided that best application practices are followed.
🔹 Is it possible to correct a squeak without disassembling the vehicle?
In many cases, yes. For localized friction noise (squeak when pressing on a trim part, opening a flap, etc.), using an oil such as Krytox™ GPL 103 or Krytox™ GPL 105 enables a corrective action without disassembly, through simple local application.
🔹 Do Krytox™ lubricants risk migrating or staining trim components?
Krytox™ lubricants are designed to offer excellent stay-in-place behavior and are non-staining under normal use conditions. When applied correctly (small quantity, directly on the contact area), they do not migrate onto visible surfaces and do not affect the appearance of trim parts.
🔹 Is Krytox™ suitable for a long-term NVH strategy (hybrid / electric vehicles)?
Yes. Thanks to their durability, thermal stability and resistance to washout, Krytox™ lubricants are perfectly suited to the quiet architectures of hybrid and electric vehicles, where even minor parasitic noises become key comfort and perceived-quality criteria.
