Tesla Roof Rack Range Impact - The Results May Surprise You!

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In this video, I put the roof rack to the test and see how it impacts range.
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[@fckgwrhqq2]

My observations are different. Car: Tesla Model 3, 2021 (with heat pump), Shanghai Test route: 15 km (9 Mi) highway at 150 kph (93 mph), driven both ways. Weather conditions: 15 °C (59 °F), dry road, almost no wind. Results: 230 Wh/km (370 Wh/Mi) - summer tires, no roof rack 240 Wh/km (386 Wh/Mi) - summer tires, roof rack 240 Wh/km (386 Wh/Mi) - winter tires, roof rack 310 Wh/km (499 Wh/Mi) - winter tires, roof rack with roof basket By the way - Aero Covers on the same route, but with different weather conditions saves around 5 Wh/km (8 Wh/Mi).

[@StormyDog]

Your results are definitely far more accurate than the results in this video. That said, you drive much faster than I do. My results at 60mph show little or no difference with the Tesla factory rack.

[@jackket6708]

Yes. Roof racks can aerodynamically affect the drag on the car. But some low profile roof races with properly slanted angles and smaller cross section will reduce drag. Wind tunnel test and design can improve the wind drag on the racks.

[@jimbo4551]

I have no roof rack but have aftermarket mud guards on both front and rear wheels. I always wondered if they caused me to take a hit in range. Maybe a future video for you to test.

[@TricopterSail]

Interesting information. I bought the Y to be able to tow a light 14' travel trailer knowing it would destroy range. Not tried it yet, but not looking forward to disconnect, charge, reconnect, repeatedly. Energy use per mile increases with the speed squared, so differences in speed make a significant difference.

[@alchemistTi]

LOL at the Big Hero 6 seat cover

[@iowatesla]

Yep. 👍🏼

[@dougfrith5001]

“…it was fun” … you’ve got a great sense of humour!

[@lsauve]

Thanks for quantifying this. I also take this to mean that Tesla did a great job of optimizing the shape. One test I have never seen is: chin spoilers. On FB, a few people report installing them, and I keep thinking that they have got to be increasing drag. IMO, the underside of the car is smooth, and there is little to be gained by diverting the air away at the front, and it probably adds another 1-2 extra square feet of frontal area. Bottom line, the staggering inefficiency of ICE cars hides the impact of many accessories and driving behaviors, but not so with EVs. Look at the difference the plastic wheel covers make at highway speeds. Vendors of air dams / chin spoilers should advise clients of the range reduction at highway speeds.

[@srikrishnathatavarthi889]

May be it’s becoz of Factory wheels and tires , we had a trip recently with Tesla Roof rack on 21 MY LR with MW 18” wheels (245/55R18) . Total trip from Greenville SC to Nashville TN and back to Greenville is 846 miles (some local driving) 313 wh/mls

[@stephenmiller6690]

I have never calibrated my ears. 🤣. I took the roof rack off my RAV4 and got a 3 - 4 mpg increase in gas mileage so your results did not surprise me.

[@jaswinderbhatti3352]

Thanks for the comparison!!!

[@Cdr306]

Interesting. Thanks for posting

[@The1andonlyBYack]

I would be interested in seeing what a box on top of the rack does to the efficiency.

[@omelborpon3159]

Me too. There is no reason to drive around with rails but no box (unless for style points?), since the rails are so easy to remove and re-install.

[@lindenlee3705]

I have seen other Tesla owners did that and it’s a 25% increase. That’s a lot! I was planning to get roof racks and carry a soft roof top carrier when we do a future cross country trip. After seeing it, I pretty much gave up on that idea.

[@StormyDog]

A box affects efficiency markedly. One test actually found that mounting a Thule box backward was more efficient than mounting it the normal way. My 17' Kruger designed expedition canoe decreases range between 10-15%. That said it is more aerodynamic/hydrodynamic compared to most canoes. Bare Model Y factory bars alone have very little if any effect on range. See my comment above.

[@mboiko]

So there was a 17% improvement in Wh/mi with the rack off...

[@Twin.motors]

Test wasn't accurate at all since it was tested on the way back, not an identical route

[@TrendyStone]

My roof rack dramatically increases road noise. Luckily, taking it off is fast.

[@isaacyoung1868]

How was traffic? Just saying depending on how much time you spent behind a semi truck can drastically change efficiency. I drafted a semi going north to Sioux falls and it was a huge amount of energy saved going 80 mph

[@isaacyoung1868]

Obviously this is just a curiosity. I think i agree with you that the differences in efficiency do seem roof rack related

[@poly-glot-a-lot6457]

Thats 20% more usage.

[@Alexzw92]

did you post an update on your failed autopilot camera?

[@iowatesla]

I have not. It started working the next day and has been fine ever since.

[@Alexzw92]

@@iowatesla hmm that’s strange, but nice to know that it worked itself out.

[@slowercuber7767]

I'm pretty sure my wife would attest that my hearing could use some calibration .... As for the roof rack, have you used it with a luggage shell? I am considering getting one to carry some stuff out to California from Alabama, and wondered if you had any suggestions for a compatible luggage carrier? Given the efficiency hit, I may just carry most of the light bulk in the shell inside the car when driving and then move it to the roof to roll out my mattress in the back when sleeping.... could be interesting.

[@George-nx8zu]

Is there a similar range test for say- a bike rack or snowboard rack on the tow hitch? I'm wondering how that impacts range similar to the roof rack

[@mrmeach1967]

Bearded Tesla guy did exactly that. He compared a tow-mounted rack to a roof-mounted rack. The tow-mounted reduced range by 23 miles whereas the roof-mounted reduced range by 50 miles.

[@ThatGrizzlyGuy]

Terrible test. If you don’t do out and back with and without and similar temps and wind direction this is not remotely accurate.

[@rlpolicarpio]

is there a wind noise with roof rack on?

[@ElectricTechAdventures]

In my experience with a Model Y and the Tesla roof rack there's a light whistling noise from about 38-52 mph. It's not loud enough to hear if you're playing music, but in a silent car I can hear it.