mgtn101

Sure it wouldn't be of any great importance but have heard removing the cross bars makes less wind noise and can supposedly improve gas mileage. How do you remove the cross bars and can the roof rail side-bars be completely removed? Special tools needed? I know the black up there makes it look more beefy but, sleek is cool and unique too?? What do you think and do you know if it's hard to try out? Will it make my new RX350 look like a base Kia Sorento?

Updated: Just found this thread on the subject. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...rack+cross+bar

sportsfan8

I just recently removed the roof rails and I personally love how the RX looks now, especially now that I've smoked out the tail lights and reflectors. It definitely makes my RX stand out from the dozens of other stock RX's I see around where I live. I honestly can't really tell if there's less wind noise and it's still too early to tell if it has improved the mileage. My guess is that it would have a small effect mostly on highway driving, given that the roof rack is pretty heavy. It was pretty easy to remove, you just have to carefully but forcefully wiggle out the plastic covers, unscrew the bolts, lift out the rack, and that's about it. I also had to buy a strip of the rubber moulding to cover the holes where the roof rack once stood. You can do a search an find the thread in here.

miniround

I took the racks off of my 300 a while ago...looks nicer because of the spoiler. not a fan of the 350 spoiler-things, so i'd leave the racks. imo. PM Lexmex and ask him what he thinks about the mpg and wind noise.. I'd say maybe better mpg highway, maybe, and def less noise with the sunroof open

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

It will help gas mileage but how much so is not clear. It may be noticeable to you, or maybe not. At the very least it can't hurt gas mileage and I personally think it looks better. IMHO, no car should have roof racks on it unless you actually use it.

catdaddylo

I just bought a Thule Cargo bag to attach to my roof rack. It is made with heavy duty water proof canvas material and can hold 15 cubic feet. It stores in a small bag which can be used to hold gear. I plan on using this combination this fall when I go elk hunting in Colorado. If I get lucky the cargo bag will free up a lot of space in the back which will be taken up with ice chests.

grouch

I removed the crossbars to make it easier to wash. I don't think it made a measurable difference in mileage or wind noise.

mgtn101

Don't know about mileage either but wind noise with sunroof open has gone down. That has to mean something....

Grumpa72

Do you have photos of the car without the rails? I would love to see them.

sportsfan8

You can find the photo in this thread (Flint Mica color, CA plates): https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=341722

DongDong

what are these roof racks for anyway??

sportsfan8

If you don't use them, nothing.

Lexmex

Dump them, one of the best aesthetic reductions I ever did...weight...aerodynamics.

mandyfig

The new Highlanders short of dumped them. No crossbars.

biff44

Personally, I like a good rack!