removing factory crossbars

[XIS]

About to make my trip across the desert and although the music will probably be so loud and drown out the wind-noise, I wonder if I would notice any difference if I took the crossbars OFF for the road trip? I am sure the music will be quiet some of the time...like between songs!

Has anyone removed their crossbars?

Does it make a huge difference in wind-noise?? (will be driving an average of 70-85 MPH for almost 7 hrs)

Does it really affect gas mileage??

I think it looks MUCH BETTER with the crossbars and they would be going back on as soon as I got home.



Thanks!

[zarar]

EDIT: Sorry totally misread the topic =|

[XIS]

This is about the crossbars and not the rails...

I would be leaving the rails alone.... Just removing the removable crossbars for the road trip since I don't need to put anything on the roof....


btw - I get 19-20 MPG in city WITH crossbars. I am expecting 25+ on the trip and would love it if I could bump that up to 26-27!

[zarar]

I drive mixed but mostly stop and go traffic. On long drives I average 70-85mph I have managed to get 28mpg (straight road with cruise control or unless the computer in the car is wrong lol), its been a while though. For a better answer to your original question. I still wouldn't think it would affect mpg that much unless the crossbars weighed more than 25lbs (or at least weighed less to nothing on my Mercedes ML).

[XIS]

Thanks for the input. I wasn't even thinking about the weight factor, just the wind-drag / resistance factor. I guess they all play a part!

[meanie]

I have been wondering the same thing and Plan to take them off in the fall to see What effect it has on MPG and noise. If yoU give it a try let us know how the experiMent turns out.

[XIS]

I think I will give it a try and let you know...

[XIS]

I just took them off and it probably took less than 60 seconds... have a couple freeway errands to run today so will know tonight whether there is a real noise difference or not.

oh, and they are super light too. like a feather.

[XIS]

I honestly could not tell any noise difference...

Back on they go!

[box_of_lego]

I was going to say hey ... its eight screws ! try it ! but I won't now

[Rex]

Yakima & Thule make both fairings(very visible) & slip covers (much less visible) that are supposed to help with noise, but those are aimed at the larger round & square bars. Flatter "oval" bars should be less noisy on their own.

[XIS]

Rex, I think you are right. They are definately flatter and angled in such a position that it must really reduce any possible wind noise. Good engineering.

[EX-KAT-35]

I just took them off and it probably took less than 60 seconds... have a couple freeway errands to run today so will know tonight whether there is a real noise difference or not.

oh, and they are super light too. like a feather.

Thanks for the info XIS some good guinea pigging u've done there

That oughta silence the roof rack noise hypothesis. I personally think its the rear view mirrors They are so big BUT useful too - the moment I look in there to back up they always pay for themselves as to whatever noise they might be putting out at speed.

[Tasman]

I couldn't see how the crossbars would affect mileage at all. The dealer had the cross bars install on my vehicle but was not charged for them. The first thing I did when I got home was to remove them, wrap them up in plastic and stored in the attic so could not tell if they had an impact on milage or noise. I never did notice the noise issue but that may be because I always have my windows up (?) and kept the sat radio on. My wife also has a very pleasing voice that would drown out any unpleasant wind noise.