I have factory cross bars installed when bought the vehicle. When driving, I can hear wind noise from the top/roof. I suspect that it comes from the cross bars.
Anyone in here doesn't have cross bars but still hear wind noise?

I am thinking to bring it to dealer to remove the cross bars to eliminate wind noise, but a couple friends said it shouldn't be from the cross bars...

(Or I can remove it myself if it is easy to remove as I read around, it is hard to remove).

thanks guys.

 

We don't have cross bars or wind noise.

 

what speed are we talking here?

We have cross bars as well on our 2011 and 2013.
pretty quiet even at 70-75mph. ( with radio ON)
i think even with Radio OFF, the road noise or wind noise is negligible.

 

I get some wind noise around the sunroof at around 55+ mph. Not sure I'd notice it if the rest of the car wasn't so quiet. It's subtle enough that I do not hear it with the radio on.

I'm not sure if it's coming from the cross bars or from the sunroof itself. I considered taking off the cross bars, but the reality is that I use them too frequently to deal with the hassle. Perhaps I will slide the front one further back when not in use and see if that reduces the noise.

If you do not use them, I would pull them off and see if you notice a difference.

 

Directions to remove the cross bars from the 3RX FAQ thread on top of the forum. Removing the end caps is the most difficult part. I never had cross bars so I can't tell you about any noise issues with them. But it's a good place to start. Good luck.

 

Thanks guys, I just read the instructions of how to remove it, it seems not that hard, so I will try to remove it out and see. If it doesn't help reduce the wind noise, then it will be easy to clean the roof.

 

The dealer removed mine for free. He did state that if you decide to do it yourself, make sure that the end caps are not cold since they break easily.

As an aside, you will see a measureable increase in gas mileage. I found research on the web for a Subaru that showed a 12.5% increase. I would guess that mine went up closer to 10% in my 450h after removing them.

 

My 2015 made wind noise with the cross bars I removed them and now its nice and quite. Snap off rear covers and remove bars and snap back on only took 5 minutes.

 

If we had tubular bars I'd be more inclined to accept that. But as thin as our crossbars are, it's hard to believe they are producing a 10% drag on fuel. Not saying you're wrong, just hard to accept considering the aerodynamics.

 

My crossbars were removed on 3/5/2014 after we got back from 2 months in Florida. The average MPG for the 5 tanks prior to their removal was 24.68 mpg and it was 30.15 for the next 5 tanks. (These are pump numbers not the computer numbers in the vehicle.)

My 2010 450h did not have crossbars. I was very disappointed with the mileage I was getting with my 2013. The dealer removed the crossbars for me and now I am getting mileage on par with my 2010. I have no other explanation.

I think that you will find that people on the board that also have either removed the side rails or purchased without, will indicate tat they get even better mileage.

There may be other explanations. My background is in an other area of engineering. ;-)

 

I seriously doubt you would get that much improvement in gas mileage without those tiny bars. If it is possible Lexus and other manufacturers would already jumped on it to improve their cars' gas mileage and make them optional for buyers who want them.

 

The were an option on our RX, abut $300.00 I think. I asked to have them removed and the amount credited and our salesman said they wouldn't do it.