Drop in MPG

koreshot · Dec 11, 2007, 10:09 AM

I slapped a basic Thule ski rack on the roof of my Toyota Matrix and I notice a big drop in mileage. I used to get about 30mpg and that has now dropped to 26mpg at best. That is about a 15% drop in fuel economy.

Is this normal? I do have the Thule wind deflector on as well, but I am thinking it might actually help the drag coef if I remove it, allowing some of the air to pass under the bars instead of pushing all the air up against the ski rack.

roark · Dec 11, 2007, 10:24 AM

For a reasonably aerodynamic econobox that sounds about right. No personal experience here though.

Warp Daddy · Dec 11, 2007, 10:38 AM

yep thats on target --when i used to use roof boxes ( now no longer need them it used to cost me 3mpg on my Jetta's ) Driving a 07 Saab Sport combi stuff goes INSIDE car now

**bvibert** · Dec 11, 2007, 10:38 AM

I'm no expert, but I've read the MPG hits can vary widely from car model to model. That doesn't sound outside of the realm of possibility. Removing the deflector may indeed help.

koreshot · Dec 11, 2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warp Daddy

yep thats on target --when i used to use roof boxes ( now no longer need them it used to cost me 3mpg on my Jetta's ) Driving a 07 Saab Sport combi stuff goes INSIDE car now

I used to be able to just throw the skis in the back of the car, but the addition of a baby forced me to go buy a rack. The loss of mileage is pretty annoying from the cost, pollution and inconvenience perspective. The gas tank is pretty small, so now the light comes on every 275 miles...annoying.

Warp Daddy · Dec 11, 2007, 11:54 AM

I feel your pain

we had to use boxes when our now Adult kids were home with us !!

Marc · Dec 11, 2007, 12:01 PM

Maybe you oughta think about losing a few pounds, fatty.

koreshot · Dec 11, 2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc

Maybe you oughta think about losing a few pounds, fatty.

You kidding? All this insulation comes in handy in the winter.

o3jeff · Dec 11, 2007, 6:36 PM

When I had a ski rack on a Durango the mpg dropped at least 3 mpg and no matter where I positioned it on the roof, it always made a howling noise.

I have since gotten rid of it and now just fold half the back seat down int the Acura and toss them inside the car.

tree_skier · Dec 12, 2007, 8:11 AM

My thule spirit 1600 cost my torrent a little less then 1 mpg.

Dec 11, 2007, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
koreshot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 960	Drop in MPG I slapped a basic Thule ski rack on the roof of my Toyota Matrix and I notice a big drop in mileage. I used to get about 30mpg and that has now dropped to 26mpg at best. That is about a 15% drop in fuel economy. Is this normal? I do have the Thule wind deflector on as well, but I am thinking it might actually help the drag coef if I remove it, allowing some of the air to pass under the bars instead of pushing all the air up against the ski rack.

Dec 11, 2007, 10:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Warp Daddy Warp and Werekong Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: St Lawrence River (north of "The 'Dacks" ) Posts: 2,326	yep thats on target --when i used to use roof boxes ( now no longer need them it used to cost me 3mpg on my Jetta's ) Driving a 07 Saab Sport combi stuff goes INSIDE car now __________________ Life Ain't No Dress Rehersal

Dec 11, 2007, 10:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
bvibert West Hartford Res 6/22/08 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 11,675	I'm no expert, but I've read the MPG hits can vary widely from car model to model. That doesn't sound outside of the realm of possibility. Removing the deflector may indeed help. __________________ Brian SAC Tracker

Dec 11, 2007, 11:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Warp Daddy Warp and Werekong Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: St Lawrence River (north of "The 'Dacks" ) Posts: 2,326	I feel your pain we had to use boxes when our now Adult kids were home with us !! __________________ Life Ain't No Dress Rehersal

Dec 11, 2007, 12:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Marc I'm with psycho --> Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dudley, MA Posts: 5,329	Maybe you oughta think about losing a few pounds, fatty. __________________ Making sanity obsolete since 1982...

Dec 11, 2007, 10:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
roark Sugarloaf 2007-03-03 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SW NH Posts: 1,283	For a reasonably aerodynamic econobox that sounds about right. No personal experience here though.

Dec 11, 2007, 6:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
o3jeff Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southington, CT Posts: 974	When I had a ski rack on a Durango the mpg dropped at least 3 mpg and no matter where I positioned it on the roof, it always made a howling noise. I have since gotten rid of it and now just fold half the back seat down int the Acura and toss them inside the car.

Dec 12, 2007, 8:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
tree_skier Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SOUTHERN VERMONT Posts: 1,125	My thule spirit 1600 cost my torrent a little less then 1 mpg.

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