The EPA has overstated mpg rates consistently through the years, according to the Consumer Reports mileage testings and surveying of member drivers. Removing the rack might have a slight effect but driving habits are likely to improve or worsen mpg's more.

I had a 1988 VW Fox wagon, with a 1.8 Liter 4 cylinder engine, & 4 speed transmission. This car would routinely get about 38 mpg, and when driven with care, 40 mpg. This was commuting to work, on state highways, at 55 mph. The car did not have a roof rack. Is your roof rack an add-on, or did it come installed as original equipment?

I had a Protoge 5; and yes, removing the roof rack very much reduces wind resistance, as well as noise.

here ya go.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jetcar

our motoring organisation over here has always advocated that roof racks will affect the mpg of a vehicle because they interfere with the basic aero dynamic design of the car. also the loading of you car and lots of those little bad habits we seem to have affect mpg, the tuning of a vehicle is a contributor as is the air filtering system quiet often fitting a more efficient system makes for more economy.

reckon a talk with a realy switched on mechanic might help. other things to look at are in the ignition parts often you can buy upmarket coils or components that will all go toward helping, maybe talk to some down to earth people in the after market auto shops. the quality of spark plugs and leads can play their part.

just how len sees it.

Roof racks, open windows, and junk-in-the-trunk all seem to contribute to poorer gas mileage. Using the A/C gulps gas. Keep the engine well-tuned and the oil changed. However, in most cases driving habits have the biggest influence on mpg. You can try it for yourself by keeping mpg records for with [and without] physical modifications; also by driving in your normal style as opposed to driving with forethought and care (no jackrabbiting, cruise the lights to go through on green, keep your speed between 45 and 55, etc.)

Due to an old injury, I must drive an automatic shift, and have done so for the past 40 years. I consistently exceed the vehicle's expected/posted mpg for both city and highway driving, regardless of the vehicle. The one exception occurred on a vacation trip with 2 adults, 2 teenagers (can you imagine how much luggage teenaged girls require for 2 weeks?!!), in the northeastern mountains during a heat wave [meaning the A/C was constantly running]. A fully-loaded vehicle, A/C, and those mountain roads combined to cut my average mpg by almost 25%.

The roof rack is OE. It came with the package with the sun/moon roof, which I got because it was the only way I could get side airbags.

Thanks, Jason, for letting me know that removing the rack will cut down noise. I must say, though I love my little beastie, highway driving is noisy.