Dan-M

Hello all,

I'm considering adding factory roof rails and cross bars to my 2019 A-spec. I'm concerned about increased wind noise at highway speed. Can anyone who has added them comment if it is an issue?

Thanks

Funz51

others have noticed no new noise.
i have oem rails and cross bars and hear distinctive wind noise. I have them mounted at the farthest connection back.

Dan-M

Thanks. Have you driven it without the cross bars? I would assume that they would be the cause.
I'm going ahead and doing it. I figure I can remove the cross bars when not using them.

mathnerd88

I have noticed no wind noise at highway speeds with my roof rails on. However, I do have my music playing so maybe that’s why I can’t hear any wind noise.

Ludepower

I have the roof rail just for show. No complaints about noise and I really have nothing to compare it too.

Wander

It's the cross bars. I take them off when I don't need them ( which is most of the time ).

The noise isn't terrible with the front crossbar in the rearward position, but I notice it. I don't usually have audio playing except when I'm on a long solo road trip, so I hear everything.

Jfkmk

I had the rails and cross bars installed as part of the deal in buying my RDX. I immediately removed the cross bars, as I only plan to use them for a ski rack. I didn’t really notice any noise with the cross bars installed, the front was installed in the rearward position.

I will say these are a bit of a pain to remove and install. Not difficult, but definitely harder than they should be. Also, they are not adjustable. The rear cross bar is fixed, and the front can only be installed in one of two positions. Acura should look at other designs for ideas for these. Even my Hyundai was a better design as far as the cross bars are concerned.

Wander

FWIW Thule makes the crossbars and "towers" that attach to the rails. It is similar to the Thule system used on current Audis, although the crossbars for RDX are an older design. And it's similar to the system Thule sells aftermarket.

Systems with roof rails that are raised above the roof allow for more flexible mounting of appropriate clamps and crossbars, but they are a more rugged look. And systems with crossbars that slide along the rails seem to have fallen out of favor for some reason. They were a bit noisy and it was just as hard to remove the crossbars as it is for the current system. It seems to be a 3-way tradeoff between appearance, noise, and security. You don't necessarily want the crossbars to be too easy to remove.

Mark-RDX

Hi Dan-M ~ I have an Advance with the rails and the Acura Crossbars. I have heard nothing at all. I was going to take the rails off when not in use, but since I am not hearing any noise, I don't want to waste my time. BTW, I drive fast, really fast.

Mark-RDX

Looks great!

Dan-M

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to pick up the parts today.
The online dealers have deep discounts but really stab you on shipping. The local dealership is offering 20% off. I'm coming out ahead supporting the local store and they have the stuff in stock.

MXFanatic

The crossbars in the front position definitely make some noise. With the sunroof cover closed, it goes totally away.
__________________
2020 RDX Advance, SH-AWD, Lunar Silver Metallic

Chefejq

Are you installing them yourself? planning on purchasing for the upcoming snowboard season

Dan-M

I did. Super easy. Maybe 30 minutes for the rails and another 10 for the cross bars.

The instructions are posted here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...ctions-978821/

They are well made and quite sturdy. I would have liked to be able to position them wherever I liked on the rails but it's is not a deal breaker.

Chefejq

Any tips in removing the roof trim? Is it pretty easy to remove or is there a certain method to be aware of, Instructions state start from rear but thats about it, just want to be careful vs careless. Thanks in advance

Dan-M

I have trim tools but they weren't necessary here. Working from back to front, get your fingers under the edge and pull up. It unsnaps one clip at a time. The clips mostly stayed attached to the roof and then can be popped off easily without breaking so no problem reinstalling if the need arises.

Mark-RDX

Hey Dan~ you picking up any wind noise? I'm not experiencing any unless I am at a high rate of speed. Locally and on the Highway at the speed limit it's silent.

Dan-M

Not really. I was on the highway over the weekend with traffic moving at 85+mph. Nothing so noticeable that would make me remove the cross bars. I have the front crossbar in the rear position.


I just noticed the link below showing installation on a 2007. The rails are completely different on the Gen 3.

Wander

Crossbar noise is greater with a headwind or crosswind, and it is more prominent with the front crossbar in the forward position on 3rd-gen RDX. Whether it is objectionable is a matter of personal preference.

Funz51

I have Oem crossbars, mounted in back position, and can hear wind noise very easily, and almost goes away with the sunroof screen closed. I don’t have to go but 20mph to hear he whistle. I am investigating a mounted wind dam. I have used on a Toyota truck in the past, and it helped.

Wander

Hmmm. The crossbars are directional, and they will whistle if they are mounted wrong. There are "L" and "R" markings on the bottom of the end caps.

Funz51

good info! I will check them out...thx!

DoLots

I have no idea what rails should run and my dealer is charging $680 for them. Does that sound right? Do I have other options?

Wander

Two options: buy the OEM rails discounted online ( or get local dealer to match ) and DIY install. Or use a clamp-on crossbar system.

I have never NOT had paint damage and/or dents from a clamp-on crossbar system. YMMV

It looks like retail is $560 for the roof rails, plus installation. Discounted at $392 + shipping.

https://www.oemacuraparts.com/v-2019...f-rails-chrome

DoLots

Thank you SO much! This was really helpful.

sdarryl64

I made an arrangement with the dealer
when I purchased the car that I would pay 100% for 13 dealer installed interior and exterior accessories
and they would install them for free so that everything would be covered under the four year warranty.
yes, more road noise but oh so slight. In the first pic, you can see the under-mount welcomes lights, as well.

Ludepower

Sweet Balling!
Share us your list of dealership add on accessories.

sdarryl64

Door edge guards
splash guards
welcome lights
roof rails
crossbars
door handle film
illuminated door entry sills
high side all weather mats front back
cargo retracting cover
cargo weather mat
Wheel locks
...sorry can’t remember others offhand but there is an Acura brochure for accessories. I purchased the ones that. Made sense for me.
I wanted the 20” wheels upgrade but they won’t give you credit for keeping the 19” stock wheels (advance model). I really don’t like the advance wheels but they are just ok
oh... ad cargo net
Also, I’ve since had the front side windows tinted with a matching but (lighter than the rear) 3M tint shade. I also had the windshield and sunroof tinted with CLEAR 3M Chrystalline that blocks 100% glare, 95% heat, all UV rays, etc. ride cool, save fuel, TINTS were 50 state legal.

Ludepower

You must be a salesman wetdream.
I'm assuming you got extended warranty and all extra protection packages.

sdarryl64

ha! Nope, No warranties, no protection packages, but I do get a new car every year on purchase no lease. Just pay depreciation and trade in last years car each year. The deals and techniques are down to a fine science and I would guess I am in top 1% of best deals made because of it. Just tell them what I want and what deal I got last year and they don’t fight much. I do however only purchase cars with extremely good resale value. Just makes sense.....and oh, Lexus is the best car Acura is just ok but more exciting less boring than Lexus. , Mercedes and BMW are horrible just fast and built with good materials but poor quality.

Ludepower

More power to you but adding oem Accessories cost a pretty penny which you wont recoup you're only keeping the car for a couple years no?

sdarryl64

Won’t recoup but only pay for items and not installation on the more involved accessories. Upon trade-in the next year, the dealers usually drool over getting the car....for example my ‘19 Lexus that was traded in for the Acura, they put up on the spinning platform out on the lawn the next day for showcasing their used cars.

Hvt

Hi all

i just bought a used 2020 Rdx that has a dealer pre-installed roof rail and Acura crossbar from a private owner. My question is: is there a key need to remove the crossbar? The previous owner doesn’t recall any keys and I’m clueless on how to remove or reposition the crossbars.

thanks

Mark-RDX

Yes, there is a set of keys that came with it. If you go to the dealer you can get a replacement set. It's not hard to take them off but be real careful they are heavy and you are working above all that glass. I took mine off for the summer. You can see the key on page 2 here: https://acura.bernardiparts.com/Imag...II07802-30.pdf

Jfkmk

Yes, you need a key to remove the cover to expose the Allen screw. There should be a number on the key hole to match up with a key.

JB in AZ

You might try looking in the rear under floor compartments

idubbz

...how do u take off the cross bars? just loosen the screws and force the pins out? i'm not sure if i'm doing something wrong.

i understand wind noise is left in further back position, but i think it looks better with greater distance btw the bars and when the bars are aligned with the front door frame. im also carrying a thule cargo box and it looks like the box tilts upwards because the further back position of the cross bar seems to be at the apex of the roof height (since the roof curves slightly)

Jfkmk

Loosen up the screws enough and the pins will come out easily, they don’t need to be forced. Note one bar is meant specifically for the front and they are marked for the left and right side.

eneka

In addition to being marked for the front, and left and right, the installation instructions also say the front crossbar needs to be mounted in the second mounting position and only there. If you install all it on the first/front position, it’ll cause the rubber on the crossbars to bulge.

idubbz

THanks for hilighting this! That's why I installed in second position ( a position) but the didn't explain why u couldn't use it.
may I ask why the rubber will bulge?

Also on the first page of instructions, doesn't it have a typo becuase it says to "only use b position when carrying larger cargo, but then when not using to return crossbars to b position " but it should say to "return to a position".

For sure if b position causes some malfunction as u say other than wind noise I'm less likely to do so.