MPG with and without a roof rack?

[f_399]

For those that have driven a lot with and without them mounted.

Do you guys see a considerable difference in MPG?

[nhodgson1993]

Yeah, unfortunately. I dropped about 2 mpg. It gets even worse though, because I usually only run roof racks in the winter (a yakima skybox). With the NH cold, snow tires, and that roof box, I can go from 20MPG to 15MPG. Cold temps and wind resistance are no good for fuel economy. It also depends what sort of rack you have. Aero bars and those low bike racks won't affect you too much, but a ski rack and square bars will.

[cab509]

I honestly can't tell you, I have had aero cross bars on my car since the day I bought it and only take them off to clean the roof rails when I'm waxing my car. I run aero bars with two Thule BigMouth bike racks in the summer and a Thule roofbox in the winter with one bikerack and I get around 24MPG combined. I do have a fairing but for the location I keep my bars, the fairing would sit on the sunroof so I don't use it.

I want to switch over to different bike racks however since I don't feel like a frame grab rack is the safest way to transport bikes. (I want to eventually switch to a hitch mount rack fro Küat)

[redavant]

I have not experienced any real difference in MPG with my Whispbars S26 on my B8. Even when I have my Packasport box on, I don't see any significant difference. In fact, recently I've been averaging 26+ MPG. On long road trips, I get to 30 MPG with the box.

[Avantiator]

Not really. 1-2 mpg difference usually. I have Yakima whispbars s45 however.

[Shanster]

I saw about 3-4 MPGs with my roof box. I also have the square thule load bars that stick up high.

[dackler]

I have OEM crossbars on my B7 and I haven't really noticed any significant decrease with just the bars on. I've gotten accustomed to having roughly the same MPG with them on vs with them off that I just leave them on all the time. Usually getting around 24-26mpg on average.

[BCsniper]

My Whispbars pretty much haven't been removed since the day I got them. They make no real impact on gas mileage. Like others have said, the box probably takes off 2-5mpg.

The worst loss of gas mileage I saw was a trip up to the mountains with a loaded car/box and while the car was currently on S5 Peelers (19x9 with 255 tires) that weigh about as much as boat anchors. Not only was the gas mileage a lot lower but the car's acceleration was reduced and I could literally feel it being slower than before.......Soon as I got home those wheels came off the car and I decided that 19's just aren't for me. I'd rather buy some lightweight wheels.

[Samsonite]

^^so are those S5 peelers still available?



Whispbars and a Thule Evolution box and the MPG loss is negligible.