Some of you might find this interesting. I did not know that aerodynamics would affect FE this much...

A month ago I installed a roof rack for my 2007 HCH...standard stuff made by yakima. I had to use a visor (again, standard yakima product) that directed airflow over the bars due to excessive whistling without it.

At that time, I was getting 62-63 mpg per tank and the weather was still warm. I had a few 70 mpg individual trips and was really excited. About the same time I installed the rack, the weather turned colder;we had some 20 degree days and my FE dropped substantially, around 50 mpg. When the warm weather returned, i still was getting poor (comparatively) FE and could do no better than 50-53 mpg. Last weekend I took a road trip to houston (from Austin) and could do no better than 45 mpg!

Frustrated, I took off the rack this morning and, although temps were in the low 50's I am back to 63 mpg! I wonder how bad the FE will be if I actually put a 75 pound kayak up there!! yikes!

Merry christmas all....

jco