On the 4th gen is it possible to remove just the cross rails from the roof rack? I remember on the 3rd gen you could but I do not see how on the 4th gen.
I heard there is some MPG savings by not having a roof rack?
i havent looked yet but im sure there is a way. would the mpg savings be worth the look of missing parts? i would take them off of my 3rd gen so i could wax the roof easier but would put them back on
Mine are off right now. It involves tools and it's a commitment. Once off they are off and require 25 minutes and tools to put them back on.
You have to lift the front or rear cover and unbolt the mount on both sides and then slide the rails.
This is a total plagerism from Backroad at T120:
"I just took off the roof rack cross bars to see if it makes any difference in mpg. Meant to do it before but I hate to pry on plastic things without knowing where the catches are. I don't do a lot of high speed driving to work and back, so I probably won't see as much difference as someone that drives highways alot.
Here are a few pics if anyone is interested.
To remove the Cross Rails:
Remove rear (or front) end caps by prying the sides outwards: see pics below
Loosen the crossbars and slide back and off the rack.
Replace plastic end caps (align top tab then gently press down)
Couple minutes
I know I've already posted this pic, but the search function has lost its memory.
This is what the rear endcap looks like. As posted above, the whole secret is knowing where the little tabs are so that you don't break them.
does this work on a sport? anyone done it on a sport? id like to use my yakima parts with their setup on the sport side rails.. i dont need the middle bars on for this..
I removed the cross rails and will report my findings. It took less than 10 min to remove. I was actually able to remove the end caps by hand fairly easily
i can't imagine the stock roof crossrails/setup to take away any significant MPG.
they look pretty aerodynamic...since they are pretty thin.
if anything, Yakima or Thule with their circular or box-shaped cross bars take away from the obvious resistance to wind those would pose. I had some on my old Honda Element and when I took them off noticed a 2-3 mpg increase. I can't imagine this thing and flat cross bars taking away more than 1 or 2 MPG tops!
Originally posted by importheinekin i can't imagine the stock roof crossrails/setup to take away any significant MPG.
they look pretty aerodynamic...since they are pretty thin.
I took my Cross Rails off a year or two ago. Cannot really say how much of a difference in MPG it made.
Other benefits to removing the cross rails is that it makes it easier to clear the snow off of the roof in the winter and wash and wax the roof the rest of the year.