Roof racks - GreenHybrid

nitramjr · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 03:59 PM

Does anyone use their roofracks? I have never had anything on mine and I am thinking of taking them off and leaving them in the garage.

Just wondering what increase this may have in gas mileage. It certainly can't hurt to eliminate that source of drag.

Anyone done this experiment yet?

Timetrvlr · #2 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 07:55 PM

I don't know but I'm hoping someone will provide an answer. I have a 2001 Honda CRV with roof racks and I'm guessing that I'd see about a 1-2 mpg increase if I removed them for long trips. I do use them occasionally (about twice a year) and I'm thinking that it's likely that I'm paying a dear price for leaving them on all the time.

If I only remove the cross bars, it would be easy to do and I think most of the drag is from them.

nitramjr · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 08:06 PM

Yeah, I am only talking about removing the crossbars as they are pretty easy to remove. I have never had anything up there and doubt I ever would.

I am going on a 100 mile trip on Sunday so I think I will take them off before I go. I'll see what happens. It will probably only make a difference at highway speed when drag really kicks in.

Every little bit helps. (I wonder if I could get by without those pesky side mirrors?)

dmgibbs · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitramjr

Does anyone use their roofracks?

I haven't yet ... but I will come winter.

I picked up a set of Yakima "Mighty Mounts" to attach my ski rack to.

The mighty mount system worked well on my RAV4 (now my wifes RAV4), so I figure the appropriate adapter's for the FEH should work just fine.

david
(who's hoping we get SOME snow here in Chicagoland this winter so I can go X-C skiing)

Vegmedic · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 10:45 PM

I have a toyota Prius which comes without roof racks. I bought some racks for my kayak, but I only have them on when I am carrying the kayak. I did an experiment and decided to go a week with the racks on to see if it lowered my mileage. The difference was huge. About 3 mpg lower with the racks. Hope this helps.

nitramjr · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2005, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegmedic

I did an experiment and decided to go a week with the racks on to see if it lowered my mileage. The difference was huge. About 3 mpg lower with the racks. Hope this helps.

That's what I was looking for - someone who has actually done some testing. Heck, if I can get an extra 0.5 mpg it is worth the trouble of putting them on if/when I ever decide to use them. Not likely though.

Thanks.

ogakor · #7 (**permalink**) 07-30-2005, 09:23 AM

The cross bars are easy to remove. I take mine off sometimes on my 250-mile drive to Tahoe and put them back on when I get there to carry an inflatable kayak in the summer and skis in the winter.

I also have side step bars. They're useful for loading the kayak, but I did not need them for the skis this past winter. I'll probably remove the bars at the end of the summer.

Timetrvlr · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2005, 10:43 PM

There was a time when any Italian race driver would rip rear view mirrors off before the race, his only concern was to pass those in front of him. I supose that would be a poor attitude for a Hi-Miler though.

Please post the results of your experiment and whether it was a fast trip or slow one. I'm sure you're right about the drag only being significant at highway speeds. I suppose auto makers will eventually realize there is a significant gain in milage that could be made by streamlining the underside of automobiles.

Hybrid_SUV · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timetrvlr

There was a time when any Italian race driver would rip rear view mirrors off before the race, his only concern was to pass those in front of him. I supose that would be a poor attitude for a Hi-Miler though.

Please post the results of your experiment and whether it was a fast trip or slow one. I'm sure you're right about the drag only being significant at highway speeds. I suppose auto makers will eventually realize there is a significant gain in milage that could be made by streamlining the underside of automobiles.

I took my roof rack off a couple months ago. It is real easy to do....takes less than 5 min with no tools required.

I haven't noticed a huge mpg difference. Maybe .5-1mpg....but then again mine is just breaking in, so I don't know if this is due to the rack or the engine. I also don't drive a lot on the hwy...where you'd get more benefit out of the roof rack removal.

I have noticed a big 1-2mpg decrease with the use of A/C (even the normal re-circ that shuts the engine off).

Nate

cdbrow1 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 01:33 PM

I took off my rack the day I bought it and I also removed the attenna (I hate radio). I put the attenna back on now mainly to keep the little woman entertined when she is driving, but I have repalced the rack with Yakima landing pads and crossbars, which are removable when not in use. I don't think it has effected my mileage at all.

Chris Brown