Does having a roof rack installed, even without carrying any kind of load on it, affect the vehicle's fuel consumption?
A)No, because since it carries no weight, the vehicle consumes the same.
B)Yes, because the structure of the roof rack reduces the aerodynamics of the vehicle, increasing consumption.Correct
C)Yes, the vehicle will consume less since the roof rack acts as an aerodynamic element.
When designing the shape of a vehicle, it is taken into account that it offers the least possible resistance to air. Any element protruding from the vehicle's structure will cause greater air resistance, increasing fuel consumption. The roof rack increases consumption even when we are not carrying any load on it.