2003 Highlander body / mileage question

My 2003 Highlander has what appears to be a spoiler mounted above the
rear window AND rooftop carriers (side rails and 2 cross pieces).

Is the spoiler functional or decorative? Will its removal improve
mileage? Will removal of the cartop rack also improve mileage?

--

=================================================
Franz Fripplfrappl

On Aug 21, 7:57 pm, franz fripplfrappl <bo...@bogus.net> wrote:
> My 2003 Highlander has what appears to be a spoiler mounted above the
> rear window AND rooftop carriers (side rails and 2 cross pieces).
>
> Is the spoiler functional or decorative?  Will its removal improve
> mileage?  Will removal of the cartop rack also improve mileage?
>
> --
>
> =================================================
> Franz Fripplfrappl

The spoiler is not functional. Removing it should improve mileage. For
any spoiler to have much of a difference, you have to be going about
160 km/hr or more.

Taking the roof rack off will also improve mileage and very slightly
lower the center of gravity.

Taking both off will improve mileage by an estimated 0.01 mpg.

Jeff

On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:35:12 -0700, Jeff wrote:

> On Aug 21, 7:57 pm, franz fripplfrappl <bo...@bogus.net> wrote:
>> My 2003 Highlander has what appears to be a spoiler mounted above the
>> rear window AND rooftop carriers (side rails and 2 cross pieces).
>>
>> Is the spoiler functional or decorative?  Will its removal improve
>> mileage?  Will removal of the cartop rack also improve mileage?
>>
>> --
>>
>> ================================================= Franz Fripplfrappl
>
> The spoiler is not functional. Removing it should improve mileage. For
> any spoiler to have much of a difference, you have to be going about 160
> km/hr or more.
>
> Taking the roof rack off will also improve mileage and very slightly
> lower the center of gravity.
>
> Taking both off will improve mileage by an estimated 0.01 mpg.
>
> Jeff

Thanks. I can figure out how to remove spoiler. How is roof rack
removed? The money I save in gas I can use to buy the right tools.

--

=================================================
Franz Fripplfrappl

On Aug 21, 9:25 pm, franz fripplfrappl <bo...@bogus.net> wrote:
> On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:35:12 -0700, Jeff wrote:
> > On Aug 21, 7:57 pm, franz fripplfrappl <bo...@bogus.net> wrote:
> >> My 2003 Highlander has what appears to be a spoiler mounted above the
> >> rear window AND rooftop carriers (side rails and 2 cross pieces).
>
> >> Is the spoiler functional or decorative?  Will its removal improve
> >> mileage?  Will removal of the cartop rack also improve mileage?
>
> >> --
>
> >> ================================================= Franz Fripplfrappl
>
> > The spoiler is not functional. Removing it should improve mileage. For
> > any spoiler to have much of a difference, you have to be going about 160
> > km/hr or more.
>
> > Taking the roof rack off will also improve mileage and very slightly
> > lower the center of gravity.
>
> > Taking both off will improve mileage by an estimated 0.01 mpg.
>
> > Jeff
>
> Thanks.  I can figure out how to remove spoiler.  How is roof rack
> removed?  The money I save in gas I can use to buy the right tools.
>
> --
>
> =================================================
> Franz Fripplfrappl

I doubt you will save much. But, you should be able to see screws or
bolts (maybe Torx bolts or ones that require Allen wrenches).

On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:57:41 GMT, franz fripplfrappl <bogus@bogus.net>
wrote:

>My 2003 Highlander has what appears to be a spoiler mounted above the
>rear window AND rooftop carriers (side rails and 2 cross pieces).
>
>Is the spoiler functional or decorative? Will its removal improve
>mileage? Will removal of the cartop rack also improve mileage?

The spoiler is functional, it keeps the back window cleaner and
reduces drag by filling in the partial vacuum at the back of the car
as you drive ~25 MPH to freeway speeds.

With the spoiler the clean air from the roof goes down the back
window, without it the dirt the tires kick up would get sucked into a
vortex and deposit on the rear glass. And if the rear window is
operable and partly or fully open the dirt and debris would get
deposited inside.

You can remove it and pick up a fraction of a MPG (no big
difference) but you will also see the negative effects.

--<< Bruce >>--