For those of you running Yakima racks on your XA, how much did your gas milage drop after installing them? Any difference with the air deflector mounted on the front of the rack?

Thanks,

Hodakaguy

 

I averaged 29 mpg over four months of highway and city driving with my yak rack. I have an automatic transmission, I have a very heavy foot, and the four month sample was during the summer when I was using the A/C all the time.

My complaint with the racks is they are really noisy.

 

I also average about 29mpg but with almost all city driving. I have the manual and the wind deflector. But, I don't notice any more noise with the rack on... probably because I don't ever take them off. I also have a semi-heavy foot.

I wouldn't have a small car without them. I transport sheets of plywood, lumber, my bass guitar stuff and other stuff with them.

 

Thanks for the replys. I'm going to pick a set of the racks up. I have to be able to carry my canoe once in a while during the summer months. And it would be great for bicycles also.

Thanks

Hodakaguy

 

you might also, want to consider getting the windflair,which helps elimate wind nose

 

I put a Yakima rack w/2 bike trays and the wind deflector probably 2 months after buying the car. Up until that point I was avg 33-35mpg pretty consistently. After the rack went on, the mileage went to about 29-30. No more noise than any other race sitting up top, but the deflector does cut the noise down a bit. I just turned 87k and still have the rack up there. Interestingly, with 2 bikes on top, if I drive somewhat sanely, I will still avg 27 mpg.