If you have just fitted a bike rack on your car or planning to, you may be wondering if it’s OK to leave it on, or constantly take it off…
Can You Leave A Bike Rack On Your Car?
You can leave a bike rack on your car should you want to, as they aren’t always easy to install. The type of car bike rack will ultimately dictate whether it should always be removed and whether it’s recommended that you remove it even if it’s not necessary. Taking your bike rack off will also make sure you’re able to inspect it and clean it regularly.
If you have a bike rack that attaches to the back of your vehicle, you might find it a little bit difficult to drive it around for everyday occasions, such as areas where you’re going at higher speeds like highways, or trying to park in a tight space.
A small, single bike rack that sits at the back of your car is likely fine, but a hitch bike rack requires a lot of maneuvering around.
Should You Remove Your Bike Rack When Not In Use?
If you regularly drive around with your bike, you should be fine leaving it in your car the rare time that it’s not in use. If you only occasionally bring your bike with you on the road, it’s not worth keeping it on your vehicle when not in use.
Your use of your vehicle could also be limited if you keep your bike rack on, especially for ones that hitch to the back of your vehicle. For example, it could be difficult to open your trunk, you can’t go through a car wash, and as mentioned, you might struggle to park properly.
Should I Take My Bike Rack Off In Winter?
You’ll want to take your bike rack off of your vehicle in the winter, especially when you’re not using it. All of the moisture and salt that sloshes around in the air during the winter can cause a lot of damage to your bike rack, regardless of the type of rack you have.
Rust can be a major detriment to your bike rack, and it’s irreversible damage. You don’t want that rust impacting your car, either.
Should I Take My Roof Rack Off?
It’s recommended that you remove a roof rack if not in use, as it can put some pressure on the roof of your car. This is especially true if you have a smaller vehicle or your chosen bike rack is heavy. Depending on your roof rack, it’s also possible that it could take in sun damage or weather damage, causing the integrity to degrade over time.
It can also be really difficult to properly clean off a roof rack while it remains on your roof. This will also make it hard to assess any kind of damage or wear that your bike rack may have undergone.
How Do You Store A Bike Rack On A Car?
You might wonder where to put a bike rack when you take it off of your car, especially if your bike rack is a larger model. When you remove your bike rack, you’ll want to store it in a space that is relatively dry and warm.
Water damage and extreme weather could wear down the material. Consider wrapping it in a blanket or a tarp if you’re concerned about it getting damaged in storage.
Are Bike Racks Easy To Remove?
Bike racks are typically a little bit easier to remove than they are to install, though neither is especially laborious. It will usually only take a few minutes to take off a bike rack; this, of course, will vary depending on your particular bike rack. You should expect to need a few tools to take one off as well as put one on your vehicle.
Do Bike Racks Damage Your Car?
Bike racks can cause damage to your car if they’re misused or they aren’t taken care of. You should never try to squeeze too many bikes on a rack; they all have limits. Too much weight will put undue pressure on your car and the rack itself.
Additionally, if you aren’t regularly cleaning your bike rack and making sure it stays lubricated, it can develop rust that can also damage your car. Running into the habit of always leaving your bike rack on your car may cause you to forget to clean it.
Do Bike Racks Damage Your Bike?
Your bike rack shouldn’t cause any damage to your bike. The only reason it would cause damage is that you’ve chosen the wrong bike rack for your bike, or you haven’t placed your bike securely into the rack.
Does A Bike Rack Affect Insurance?
Bike racks will typically impact insurance to a certain degree, which can vary depending on where you live. Adding a bike rack to your car, especially if you have one constructed and fitted to your car, is considered a modification.
Thus, you should contact your insurance and discuss it with them. Honesty is always the best policy, and the last thing you want to run into is the denial of an insurance claim because your insurance provider was never informed that you have a bike rack.
Be cognizant of proper installation and any rules that might exist in your locality regarding bike racks. Hitch racks, for instance, might require lighting that helps keep your license plate visible.
Do Bike Racks Decrease Gas Mileage?
Most wouldn’t consider how a bike rack could impact gas mileage, but it does. While it may not be by a lot depending on the bike rack and your particular vehicle, gas is like gold nowadays. As such, any way you can manage fuel efficiency is highly recommended.
Consider the fact that your vehicle is going to need some extra momentum to carry the load of your bike rack. While a bike rack doesn’t weigh much in comparison, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t contribute to the power your car needs to move forward. Since your vehicle has to work harder to move, it needs to use more fuel to do so.