Model Y OEM Roof Rack - Whistling

[wayMYP]

Hello all,

Been a member since my purchase of a MYP in 2022 and so far, the drive and everything about the Tesla has been great. I recently pulled the trigger on the Tesla OEM roof rack, and sad to report, it has been the most disappointing Tesla experience ever.

The install was simple. Once I had the roof rack installed, I suddenly noticed more wind noise and a very noticeable whistling at 50 mph and above. Strangely, when it rains, the whistling is faint/ almost nonexistent. Have any of you encountered this? Looking for some thoughts/solutions as I love having the roof rack on to distinguish my car among the 100+ MYP that I drive by daily, but the noise is a very distracting and annoying element.

 

[ngng]

Roof racks make noise. Take it off if you don't need it, or, keep it on and accept it'll make noise so you can look different.

 

[Waltjo]

I don't have a roof rack for my M-Y but all are noisy I have used many roof racks on several cars and SUVs. I have tried a lot of racks, OEM Toyota, Yakima, and no brand, they all create wind noise. As result I remove them when not in use, and live with them when carrying skis or bikes.

 

[kpanda17]

Return the roof rack, it will also neg hit your range
Use the tow hitch for storing and get the Yakima box
Yakima EXO Gearlocker

 

[ngng]

Return the roof rack, it will also neg hit your range
Use the tow hitch for storing and get the Yakima box
Yakima EXO Gearlocker

Range loss is negligible, maybe a percent or two. Hitch rack will also affect your range.

 

[WFLG]

Had the roof rack on for a month now. The whistling doesn't really bother me anymore. Roof racks on other cars I've had before are worse.

 

[kpanda17]

Range loss is negligible, maybe a percent or two. Hitch rack will also affect your range.

According to a very good model y road warrior Bryan Hauer the roof rack and Thule box or ski rack attachment iare a 25-35% range loss during a trip
The hitch box behind the vehicle and low is a negligible range loss

 

[Kwame]

I had the roof rack installed at my local service center last Saturday. I was leery of any potential noises which is why I had the installation performed by my Service Center. I’m happy to report that I have not encountered any “whistling” or additional wind noises (I’ve listened for whistling up to 80mph).

I’m sorry to hear that your experience is not the same.

 

[ngng]

According to a very good model y road warrior Bryan Hauer the roof rack and Thule box or ski rack attachment iare a 25-35% range loss during a trip
The hitch box behind the vehicle and low is a negligible range loss

Cross bars and my bike rack didn't change my range much, at least not compared to slowing down. Ski rack is approx 360kWh at 70mph. YMMV, do your own research. I did mine.

 

[Gaige]

Folks (including me) have put some of these rubber wind vortex strip things in the racks and had good luck reducing the whistling.

There are a few threads on this here, but here's a direct link to what I used (bought 4-6 of these) removed the OEM rubber insert

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Rhino-Rack/RRM626.html?feed=npn&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtaOtBhCwARIsAN_x-3Ki87yBWu46-0TfJdqRwH_MWtGlIAEXVe_ZdpwHOho1JxyMGp9_4voaAm1bEALw_wcB

 

[ngng]

Folks (including me) have put some of these rubber wind vortex strip things in the racks and had good luck reducing the whistling.

There are a few threads on this here, but here's a direct link to what I used (bought 4-6 of these) removed the OEM rubber insert

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Rhino-Rack/RRM626.html?feed=npn&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtaOtBhCwARIsAN_x-3Ki87yBWu46-0TfJdqRwH_MWtGlIAEXVe_ZdpwHOho1JxyMGp9_4voaAm1bEALw_wcB

Did you find it was quieter than OEM? I don't feel like the OEM strip is that loud.

 

[Gaige]

Did you find it was quieter than OEM? I don't feel like the OEM strip is that loud.

Yes, but depending on a lot of little factors, each person may have a different noise / experience.

Mine was pretty noticable, loud before, especially between 60-75 mph.

It got much quieter after using these.

 

[ucmndd]

Just put the OEM rack on our 2024 MY, super disappointed at how loud and whistly they are!

I’ve had a rack on almost every car I’ve owned for the past ~20 years so I thought I had a good idea what to expect… these just seem to be bad design. For $500 and being made by Yakima I expected more.

Appreciate the proposed solutions, going to give the vortex strips a try before giving up altogether.

 

[kpanda17]

Just put the OEM rack on our 2024 MY, super disappointed at how loud and whistly they are!

I’ve had a rack on almost every car I’ve owned for the past ~20 years so I thought I had a good idea what to expect… these just seem to be bad design. For $500 and being made by Yakima I expected more.

Appreciate the proposed solutions, going to give the vortex strips a try before giving up altogether.

When did you have a roof rack on an EV as efficient and quite as a Tesla?
Before you either had roof racks on ICEvs which inherent vehicle noise covered for any roof rack wind resistance noise or a inefficient EV like a bolt that also had inherent road/cd noise, also covering for the roof rack.

My suggestion, use the Yakima box on the rear hitch and your noise goes away.
Check our Bryan Hauer videos for he did thousands of miles with the box on the back.

YMMV

 

[ngng]

Just put the OEM rack on our 2024 MY, super disappointed at how loud and whistly they are!

I’ve had a rack on almost every car I’ve owned for the past ~20 years so I thought I had a good idea what to expect… these just seem to be bad design. For $500 and being made by Yakima I expected more.

Appreciate the proposed solutions, going to give the vortex strips a try before giving up altogether.

Please report back once you install the strips. I am curious if they are an improvement.

 

[ucmndd]

When did you have a roof rack on an EV as efficient and quite as a Tesla?

<checks paperwork>

My Model 3, Model S, Chrysler Pacifica PHEV, and my 2013 Chevy Volt. None of them exhibited this issue, nowhere near it.

Before you either had roof racks on ICEvs which inherent vehicle noise covered for any roof rack wind resistance noise or a inefficient EV like a bolt that also had inherent road/cd noise, also covering for the roof rack.

No, but thank you for the mansplaining about how noise works. Super helpful.

 

[ucmndd]

Please report back once you install the strips. I am curious if they are an improvement.

So, a couple days in I can say that they are a great fix. There is still some wind noise of course, but essentially on par with every other rack I’ve used over the years. The whistling is completely gone.

$30 well spent.

 

[ngng]

Awesome I will give these a try!

 

[kpanda17]

Do we have a link for these strips? I might have to move a mattress soon and the roof rack will be needed.

 

[ucmndd]

Do we have a link for these strips? I might have to move a mattress soon and the roof rack will be needed.

Just upthread from eTrailer - you need 6 of them:

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...MWtGlIAEXVe_ZdpwHOho1JxyMGp9_4voaAm1bEALw_wcB