Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

Unscientific roof rack efficiency test (Model 3)

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.

house9

Member
Nov 16, 2019
469
601
AZ
Unscientific roof rack efficiency test (Model 3)

Summary:

30.3 mile mixed loop: 2 neighborhood (20 - 35), 12.5 highway/freeway (65 - 80), 16 road (45 - 65)

Stock: 236 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack: 247 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad: 264 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad, 2 bikes: 348 Wh/Mile

Details:

1.png

Stock: 236 Wh/Mile
Clear 80.5 F, Wind 8.5
30.29 Driven / 32.95 Rated Miles Used
91.9% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 11% / 7.15 kWh


2.png

Tesla Roof Rack: 247 Wh/Mile
Partly Cloudy 66.4 F, Wind 5.3
30.31 Driven / 34.14 Rated Miles Used
88.8% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 10% / 7.48 kWh


3.png
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad: 264 Wh/Mile
Clear 67.1 F, Wind 10
30.31 Driven / 36.45 Rated Miles Used
83.1% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 12% / 7.99 kWh


4.png

Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad, 2 bikes: 348 Wh/Mile
Clear 68.8 F, Wind 7.4
30.32 Driven / 48.12 Rated Miles Used
63% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 16% / 10.5 kWh

IMG_20200717_155114.jpg


Wind Noise:
- Tesla Roof Rack mild increase in wind noise
- Yakima Highroad massive increase in wind noise
- Yakima Highroad with bikes can't tell if there is a difference but the racks alone create a ton

Highroad bike racks are very loud at 65mph+ luckily the stereo system can drown it out
 
Unscientific roof rack efficiency test (Model 3)

Summary:

30.3 mile mixed loop: 2 neighborhood (20 - 35), 12.5 highway/freeway (65 - 80), 16 road (45 - 65)

Stock: 236 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack: 247 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad: 264 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad, 2 bikes: 348 Wh/Mile

Details:

View attachment 569263
Stock: 236 Wh/Mile
Clear 80.5 F, Wind 8.5
30.29 Driven / 32.95 Rated Miles Used
91.9% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 11% / 7.15 kWh


View attachment 569266
Tesla Roof Rack: 247 Wh/Mile
Partly Cloudy 66.4 F, Wind 5.3
30.31 Driven / 34.14 Rated Miles Used
88.8% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 10% / 7.48 kWh
Great post — thanks for making the effort to post your results.

View attachment 569265Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad: 264 Wh/Mile
Clear 67.1 F, Wind 10
30.31 Driven / 36.45 Rated Miles Used
83.1% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 12% / 7.99 kWh


View attachment 569264
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad, 2 bikes: 348 Wh/Mile
Clear 68.8 F, Wind 7.4
30.32 Driven / 48.12 Rated Miles Used
63% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 16% / 10.5 kWh

View attachment 569268

Wind Noise:
- Tesla Roof Rack mild increase in wind noise
- Yakima Highroad massive increase in wind noise
- Yakima Highroad with bikes can't tell if there is a difference but the racks alone create a ton

Highroad bike racks are very loud at 65mph+ luckily the stereo system can drown it out
 
Unscientific roof rack efficiency test (Model 3)

Summary:

30.3 mile mixed loop: 2 neighborhood (20 - 35), 12.5 highway/freeway (65 - 80), 16 road (45 - 65)

Stock: 236 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack: 247 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad: 264 Wh/Mile
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad, 2 bikes: 348 Wh/Mile

Details:

View attachment 569263
Stock: 236 Wh/Mile
Clear 80.5 F, Wind 8.5
30.29 Driven / 32.95 Rated Miles Used
91.9% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 11% / 7.15 kWh


View attachment 569266
Tesla Roof Rack: 247 Wh/Mile
Partly Cloudy 66.4 F, Wind 5.3
30.31 Driven / 34.14 Rated Miles Used
88.8% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 10% / 7.48 kWh


View attachment 569265Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad: 264 Wh/Mile
Clear 67.1 F, Wind 10
30.31 Driven / 36.45 Rated Miles Used
83.1% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 12% / 7.99 kWh


View attachment 569264
Tesla Roof Rack w/Yakima Highroad, 2 bikes: 348 Wh/Mile
Clear 68.8 F, Wind 7.4
30.32 Driven / 48.12 Rated Miles Used
63% Efficiency
Battery Usage: 16% / 10.5 kWh

View attachment 569268

Wind Noise:
- Tesla Roof Rack mild increase in wind noise
- Yakima Highroad massive increase in wind noise
- Yakima Highroad with bikes can't tell if there is a difference but the racks alone create a ton

Highroad bike racks are very loud at 65mph+ luckily the stereo system can drown it out

Great post — thanks for making the effort to post your results!
 
  • Like
Reactions: house9
That’s about what I saw on my current vehicle with the roof rack installed (-5%) though most of my trips were to local mountain bike trail, 5-15 miles away. Seems manageable. I wonder if a fairing helps.
Range hits below 10% imo are irrelevant, as it doesn’t result in a meaningful difference in number of charge stops, duration, or expense, especially compared to the benefits of being ready for awesomeness on a moment’s notice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Biscuitman and 21EV