silly question: Removing crossbars give me better mileage?

remarcable · 05-16-2001, 04:57 PM

Since I rarely if ever end up with stuff on the roof (I usually can cram everything inside the wagon) I was wondering if removing the two factory cross-bars would help me out in the MPG department?

Reduce noise?

Look cooler?

Anything?

(Ok I am bored and finally found the hex screwdriver that came with the car)

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gavin · 05-16-2001, 05:27 PM

Defitely reduces cabin noise. Don't know that you will get a perceptible mpg gain.

remarcable · 05-16-2001, 07:07 PM

Thanks I will do this and see how it looks and sounds.

gavin · 05-16-2001, 07:33 PM

this is what it looks like:
<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1659747&a=12715264&p=47267666" border=0>

sybir · 05-16-2001, 09:52 PM

<IMG SRC="http://www.jps.net/mstanley/myscooby.jpg" border=0>

hehe
twins

( 'cept I pulled all the gold trim off mine)

DLC · 05-17-2001, 06:28 AM

I've been considering pulling the crossbars off mine as well, as i'm sure they're not doing any good and i know i'll never use them.

One guy did do this to his GT and had everything taken off, filled and repainted. It looked very good.

Radio Flyer · 05-17-2001, 06:36 AM

I pulled the crossbars off of mine. Just four torx screws holds 'em on. I if I need the bars, just put 'em back on.

The wind noise is definitely reduced. I doubt there was any performance gain to be had... It certainly looks cooler!

  - Eric
    '98 2.5 GT Wagon - <a href="http://216.242.153.40/MembersList/ViewMemberPics.cfm?MemberID=143" target="_blank">Pics</a> - <a href="http://www.jeneric.ws/eric/radioflyer.htm" target="_blank">Page</a> -
    ICQ #: 9292601

dscottf · 05-17-2001, 07:05 AM

Don't know if pulling off the factory crossbars will do much for mileage, but this'll cost ya about 8 MPG, so don't do it.

But it is still better than a SUV :-)

remarcable · 05-17-2001, 09:51 AM

Nice cannondale!

I have an old F500 model, but with an upgraded headshock unit (2.5 inches travel).

Of course I bought it when I was in 9th grade and it is only a 17 inch frame so it is getting a bit small for me... but very fun!

Need a longer seatpost though.

rrubel · 05-17-2001, 07:30 PM

I've had my crossbars off for at least a year. While I didn't notice any real gas mileage improvement, I did find less wind noise and better directional stability (less wind buffeting).

motorob · 05-18-2001, 10:34 AM

Actually, a roof rack will cause a definite increase in Cd (coefficient of drag), as much as .10. For highway driving, removing the crossbars will decrease drag and probably give you slightly better mileage. The main part of the rack will still be there, but it has very little frontal area (one of the main components of drag) and will have relatively little effect. Lots of you here have mentioned that removing the crossbars reduces noise. Well that noise, my friends, is friction. Reduce friction - reduce drag.

gavin · 05-18-2001, 11:10 AM

I don't think anyone said you wouldn't get ANY mileage gain, just nothing really noticable.

Obviously any reduction of drag, or weight, will give you some marginal mileage gain.

05-16-2001, 04:57 PM	#1
remarcable Scooby Specialist Member#: 2362 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Carolina, USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy Outback Blue w/ Paint Chips & Mud	silly question: Removing crossbars give me better mileage? Since I rarely if ever end up with stuff on the roof (I usually can cram everything inside the wagon) I was wondering if removing the two factory cross-bars would help me out in the MPG department? Reduce noise? Look cooler? Anything? (Ok I am bored and finally found the hex screwdriver that came with the car) * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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05-16-2001, 05:27 PM	#2
gavin Scooby Specialist Member#: 3198 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Portland, OR USA Vehicle: 2005 GT LTD Wagon Garnet Red	Defitely reduces cabin noise. Don't know that you will get a perceptible mpg gain.

05-16-2001, 07:07 PM	#3
remarcable Scooby Specialist Member#: 2362 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Carolina, USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy Outback Blue w/ Paint Chips & Mud	Thanks I will do this and see how it looks and sounds.

05-16-2001, 07:33 PM	#4
gavin Scooby Specialist Member#: 3198 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Portland, OR USA Vehicle: 2005 GT LTD Wagon Garnet Red	this is what it looks like: <IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1659747&a=12715264&p=47267666" border=0>

05-16-2001, 09:52 PM	#5
sybir Scooby Specialist Member#: 4615 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Don of the Wagon Mafia Vehicle: 05 STi, 97 Leg OB	<IMG SRC="http://www.jps.net/mstanley/myscooby.jpg" border=0> hehe twins ( 'cept I pulled all the gold trim off mine)

05-17-2001, 06:28 AM	#6
DLC out back Moderator Member#: 1964 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: 84XXX Vehicle: 01 BH Blue/Bronze	I've been considering pulling the crossbars off mine as well, as i'm sure they're not doing any good and i know i'll never use them. One guy did do this to his GT and had everything taken off, filled and repainted. It looked very good.

05-17-2001, 06:36 AM	#7
Radio Flyer Scooby Specialist Member#: 374 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque, NM Vehicle: '98 2.5 GT Wagon Rio Red	I pulled the crossbars off of mine. Just four torx screws holds 'em on. I if I need the bars, just put 'em back on. The wind noise is definitely reduced. I doubt there was any performance gain to be had... It certainly looks cooler!   - Eric     '98 2.5 GT Wagon - <a href="http://216.242.153.40/MembersList/ViewMemberPics.cfm?MemberID=143" target="_blank">Pics</a> - <a href="http://www.jeneric.ws/eric/radioflyer.htm" target="_blank">Page</a> -     ICQ #: 9292601

05-17-2001, 07:05 AM	#8
dscottf Scooby Newbie Member#: 3312 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Madison, WI 53713 Vehicle: 1999 Outback Wagon Sapphire Blue	Don't know if pulling off the factory crossbars will do much for mileage, but this'll cost ya about 8 MPG, so don't do it. But it is still better than a SUV :-)

05-17-2001, 09:51 AM	#9
remarcable Scooby Specialist Member#: 2362 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Carolina, USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy Outback Blue w/ Paint Chips & Mud	Nice cannondale! I have an old F500 model, but with an upgraded headshock unit (2.5 inches travel). Of course I bought it when I was in 9th grade and it is only a 17 inch frame so it is getting a bit small for me... but very fun! Need a longer seatpost though.

05-17-2001, 07:30 PM	#10
rrubel Scooby Newbie Member#: 4643 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD, USA Vehicle: 2008 Legacy Outback Atlantic Blue Pearl	I've had my crossbars off for at least a year. While I didn't notice any real gas mileage improvement, I did find less wind noise and better directional stability (less wind buffeting).

05-18-2001, 10:34 AM	#11
motorob Scooby Newbie Member#: 2878 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Nuevo Mexico, usa Vehicle: 06 Evo IX MR	Actually, a roof rack will cause a definite increase in Cd (coefficient of drag), as much as .10. For highway driving, removing the crossbars will decrease drag and probably give you slightly better mileage. The main part of the rack will still be there, but it has very little frontal area (one of the main components of drag) and will have relatively little effect. Lots of you here have mentioned that removing the crossbars reduces noise. Well that noise, my friends, is friction. Reduce friction - reduce drag.

05-18-2001, 11:10 AM	#12
gavin Scooby Specialist Member#: 3198 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Portland, OR USA Vehicle: 2005 GT LTD Wagon Garnet Red	I don't think anyone said you wouldn't get ANY mileage gain, just nothing really noticable. Obviously any reduction of drag, or weight, will give you some marginal mileage gain.