Thule 753 roof rack MPG difference

timtower · 11-13-2012, 10:29 PM

Hey everyone, about a month ago I installed a Thule 753 roof rack with a fairing onto my 2005 325i (sport package) and I did somewhat of a MPG study on it, if anyone cares.

Prior to installing the roof rack, on my 32.4 mile trip to work (there and back) I would average between 26.3-30.0 MPG on the trip computer (depending on traffic).

After installing the roof rack, I would average 25.3 - 29.1 MPG on my trip computer for the same drive.

My drive to work is about 15 minutes of city and 15 minutes of 55-60 mph freeway driving. So basically, the Thule 753 takes off roughly 1.0 mpg.

Based on my average use of the car, this would translate roughly to an extra 19 gallons of gas used over the course of a year with the roof rack on. A small price to pay in my opinion to be able use the car to go surfing!

I also noticed that the trip computer MPG is consistently 0.9 - 1.0 higher than the actual MPG over a full tank of gas.

Just thought I'd pass along information.

Tim

Solidjake · 11-14-2012, 07:03 AM

When I had the BMW roof rack I don't know if it was placebo or not but I felt a difference. I drive on the highway around 60-80 so when it's windy it does make the car float around a lot too.

Wolrab · 11-14-2012, 08:49 AM

The roof rack on my E60 with two bikes makes 2 to 3 mpg difference. So it's only on there when I'm actually carrying bikes.

11-13-2012, 10:29 PM	#1
timtower Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Honolulu Posts: 7 My Ride: 2005 BMW 325i View My Garage	Thule 753 roof rack MPG difference Hey everyone, about a month ago I installed a Thule 753 roof rack with a fairing onto my 2005 325i (sport package) and I did somewhat of a MPG study on it, if anyone cares. Prior to installing the roof rack, on my 32.4 mile trip to work (there and back) I would average between 26.3-30.0 MPG on the trip computer (depending on traffic). After installing the roof rack, I would average 25.3 - 29.1 MPG on my trip computer for the same drive. My drive to work is about 15 minutes of city and 15 minutes of 55-60 mph freeway driving. So basically, the Thule 753 takes off roughly 1.0 mpg. Based on my average use of the car, this would translate roughly to an extra 19 gallons of gas used over the course of a year with the roof rack on. A small price to pay in my opinion to be able use the car to go surfing! I also noticed that the trip computer MPG is consistently 0.9 - 1.0 higher than the actual MPG over a full tank of gas. Just thought I'd pass along information. Tim Last edited by timtower; 11-13-2012 at 10:32 PM.

11-14-2012, 07:03 AM	#2
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 19,913 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	When I had the BMW roof rack I don't know if it was placebo or not but I felt a difference. I drive on the highway around 60-80 so when it's windy it does make the car float around a lot too. __________________ Follow my cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=987217 Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide

11-14-2012, 08:49 AM	#3
Wolrab Registered Gadfly Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 483 My Ride: 330Ci MT, 545i SMG View My Garage	The roof rack on my E60 with two bikes makes 2 to 3 mpg difference. So it's only on there when I'm actually carrying bikes. __________________ Engineers do it with a torque wrench

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