How Much Do Roof Racks Affect Gas Mileage

He compared the gas mileage of his car at 54 7 mph 88 kph with 1 no roof racks 2 an empty roof rack and 3 a mountain bike on the roof rack.

How much do roof racks affect gas mileage.

Let s say that you drive 15 000 miles per year gas is 2 50 gal and your gets 25 mpg. Even though they might look like they cut through the wind they could be introducing some mileage robbing turbulence. He found that compared to the baseline of no roof rack the empty rack reduced his mpg by 12 7 and the roof rack with a bicycle reduced it by a whooping 27 3. Beyond that the two items tested with the least impact on gas mileage were the paddle board and thule luggage carrier both of which caused about a 19 percent decrease in fuel economy or 5 5.

The empty roof rack had a nearly 2 percent impact on fuel economy which translates to a little more than three quarters of a gallon of gas. If you re traveling with your bikes attached to your roof you ll have to stop more often for. The same of course applies to roof racks and other cargo accessories. Your fuel cost is ten cents mile or 1 500 year.

A two bike rack with wind deflector will increase your gasoline costs by 36. Using a 2013 honda accord and data provided by consumer reports an empty roof rack will increase the amount you spend on gas by 12 compared to no rack at all assuming highway speeds. How much does a bike roof rack affect gas mileage. Drag coefficient increases by speed squared.

Gas mileage may drop by as much as 30 percent. Mileage went from 41 mpg at 65 mph to 40 mpg. A five percent change in fuel economy is worth 75 each year or. I am somewhat suspicious of this first figure but it s possible.