Roof rack crossbars affect mileage?

[John Rethorst]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack, which I
never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit? I'd guess only
1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

 

[Rick Courtright]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack, which I
never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit? I'd guess only
1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

Hi,

If they come off that easily, why not just try it? No two people ever
get the same mileage, even when driving the same vehicle, so you'd be
able to get data that are valid for YOU!

Rick

 

[Valued Corporate #120,345 Employee (B A R R Y)]

If they come off that easily, why not just try it?

You beat me to it... <G>

 

[Tony Hwang]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack, which I
never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit? I'd guess only
1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

Hi,
A fraction of miles. As an example the shape of a outside rear view
mirrors affect MPG.

 

[dnoyeB]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack,
which I never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit?
I'd guess only 1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

Definitely if you have a mountain bike attached...

 

[John]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack, which
I
never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit? I'd guess
only
1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

Take 'em off, the OB looks better w/o them. When I need mine, I just put
'em on

 

[Guest]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack, which I
never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit? I'd guess only
1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

I pulled mine to gain whatever trivial advantage there was to be had
(80+ miles a day at 70mph+) and was delighted that now when I open the
sunroof its whisper-quiet!


Dave

 

[Valued Corporate #120,345 Employee (B A R R Y)]

I pulled mine to gain whatever trivial advantage there was to be had
(80+ miles a day at 70mph+) and was delighted that now when I open the
sunroof its whisper-quiet!

For four years, I had a 4 bike rack on my OBW.

When I removed the rack in preparation for selling the car, I couldn't
believe the noise I had gotten used to.

I would imagine that noise = turbulence = drag = lower MPG. To what
degree is the question.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack, which I
never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit? I'd guess only
1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

I got those crossbars, and they are shaped very aerodynamically, but
they still create a lot of noise, which I imagine is an indication of
inefficiency.

On a separate note, I've now started reducing my top-end speeds by 10kph
(6mph) everywhere, and I'm amazed by the gas mileage increase, just on
one tank so far. I'm half-way down the gas tank, and I've gone nearly
40% farther than I typically go at the same point at higher speeds!

Yousuf Khan

 

[Tony Hwang]

I got those crossbars, and they are shaped very aerodynamically, but
they still create a lot of noise, which I imagine is an indication of
inefficiency.

On a separate note, I've now started reducing my top-end speeds by 10kph
(6mph) everywhere, and I'm amazed by the gas mileage increase, just on
one tank so far. I'm half-way down the gas tank, and I've gone nearly
40% farther than I typically go at the same point at higher speeds!

Yousuf Khan

Hi,
You are good man. Also minimize using brake.(my Honda CRV needed a firat
brake job after driven 200K Km). 90% of my driving is on freeway at near
constant speed. Always gets good gas mileage.

 

[mred]

I take them off my 05 Forester, in winter. Never noticed any
difference in mileage. My average after 60K miles is 26.4 mpg. I do
use the Yakima fairing to reduce noise.
But hey, take them if not using. Gives a cleaner profile.

of my driving is on freeway at near

 

[Dean Hoffman]

My '01 Outback has two easily-removable crossbars on the roof rack, which I
never use. Has anyone taken those off and found any mpg benefit? I'd guess only
1 mpg, if that, on the highway. Still . . .

There is about a 5% mileage penalty for the rooftop luggage racks.
Some fuel saving tips here:
http://tinyurl.com/ypm2cl

Dean

 

[Jeff]

I took mine off years ago because of the whistling noise.