[stevelc]

does anyone know if leaving the cross bar installed on the roof would have any noticeable impact on gas mileage? I am thinking about leaving it on the car but also don't want to burn more fuel than required.

 

[Paradox]

I took em' off for the first 3-4 months of ownership and then put them on and have had them on since and I've not really noticed a difference so I left them on. I'm sure measuring it on paper every time one goes to the pump with them on and off there is a slight reduction with them on but overall, it wasn't enough for me to go oh wow, I'm using so much more so I just left them on after putting them back on.

 

[ANKulin]

How difficult are they to install and remove? I am planning to buy these along with a roof carrier for skis and luggage, but only want to have the cross bars on when needed.

Thanks

 

[mattreading22]

How difficult are they to install and remove? I am planning to buy these along with a roof carrier for skis and luggage, but only want to have the cross bars on when needed.

Thanks

They Take 5-10 minutes to install and to take off. Very simple to do.

 

[Paradox]

Yeah, just stand on a mini step stool/ladder thing and have the right size hex key and they'll come on and off very quickly. Just make sure you look at the arrow imprinted on them so they face the proper direction and make sure you put the front one in the front and the rear one on the rear.

 

[ctang101]

Yeah, just stand on a mini step stool/ladder thing and have the right size hex key and they'll come on and off very quickly. Just make sure you look at the arrow imprinted on them so they face the proper direction and make sure you put the front one in the front and the rear one on the rear.

Aren't the two crossbars identical?

 

[Paradox]

Aren't the two crossbars identical?

I thought they were labeled front and rear, or in some way to distinguish them from the front one and the rear one. Pretty sure, but I won't say 100% without going out and looking at mine again, can't go do it now.

 

[ANKulin]

Thanks for the information.

 

[Sinecure]

Aren't the two crossbars identical?

No. There's a front and a rear. Labeled underneath.

To answer the OP's question. I've experimented with this on a lot of vehicles over the years. Crossbars like on the QX60 don't make much difference unless there's something on them. They're quite aerodynamic and therefore change fuel economy by maybe 0.25 mpg.

Put a roof box up there and you'll lose 1-2mpg's.

 

[Rooster]

Been meaning to post this for a while now. If you have a trailer hitch, there is an Option B to a roof carrier.

I purchased a Curt Hitch Cargo Carrier on Amazon and love it (it is pictured on my in-law's car). Here are the details for anyone interested:

(1) Curt 18153 Basket Style Cargo Carrier
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
$130.53

(2) Rola 59119 Rainproof Cargo Carrier Bag 59" x 24" x 24" (20 Cu Ft)
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
$62.71

I also purchase a Rola rainproof cargo bag that will hold 4 large suitcases. Beats a roof carrier any day (don't have to lift suit cases above your head), and has no impact on gas mileage. Once you are at your destination, you can take it off, or fold it up.