Method to Reduce Wind Noise from Roof Rack on 2014 Mazda 3

Question:

I bought the same roof rack through a mazda OEM but it is the same whispbar sorry but I got it for a lot less from them. But with the sunroof open its very loud when I get over 35mph. What do you sell to help cut back on the noise? My car is a 2014 mazda 3 hatchback with fixed mounting points.

asked by: Alex K

Expert Reply:

Roof rack crossbars do generate noise and some make more noise than others. Round and square bar roof racks tend to be the noisiest and elliptical and aerodynamic bars tend to make less noise. No roof rack will be particularly quiet when you have your sunroof open. That is just the nature of the beast.

You can sometimes reduce the noise level of a roof rack by adding a fairing to the front bar, such as Inno's # INA262. These usually help the noisier round and square bar roof racks like the Yakima round bar rack made of parts # Y00408, # Y53TR, # Y03536 and # Y00233. But since you already have the Whispbar aero-style bars that are naturally the quietest type you will not gain anything by adding a fairing to these since the fairing itself would possibly make almost as much noise. Your best option is simply keeping the sunroof closed when wind noise is a concern.

expert reply by: Adam R