Roof Rack Gas Efficiency

According to a new study by yuche chen and alan meier published in the most recent issue of energy policy roof racks are responsible for 0 8 of light duty vehicle fuel consumption in 2015 corresponding to 100 million gallons of gasoline per year.

Roof rack gas efficiency.

They found that in 2015 roof racks nationwide were responsible for 0 8 percent of light duty vehicle fuel consumption or 100 million gallons of gasoline. 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. 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. In fact it significantly cuts your highway mileage all the time it s installed whether there s weight up there or not.

A two bike rack with wind deflector will increase your gasoline costs by 36. 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. Generally adding a loaded roof rack to your car will lower your gas mileage by at least 10 percent. I am somewhat suspicious of this first figure but it s possible.

Their study was published recently in the. Adding any rooftop carrier cargo box or ski rack doesn t come free. The roof rack mpg experiment 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. Their study was published recently in the journal energy policy in a paper titled fuel consumption impacts of auto roof racks.

Some drivers may see their gas mileage drop by as much as 20 percent depending on vehicle type and type of roof rack. 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.