mjaiello

Took delivery of 2012 Q5 last week and just installed the roof rack. Above 35-40 mph the air flow makes a whistling noise. Slight but enough to be an annoyance. First vehicle with such a feature. Worst case is take it off till I need it, but it's hassle. Anyone out there ever done anything to foil the air flow?

Lyth

Did you install the rubber strips that came with them? And btw, your dealer should have told you not to have them installed unless your using them as the computer changes the way the stability control reacts when they are on.

Jake-AudiUSAParts

First of all, when the roof bars are installed the vehicles traction control system assumes that there is 150 lbs. of cargo on the roof. That would be one reason to take off the rack when you don’t need it. Second, do you have any attachments installed on the rack (bike,ski,etc)? If not, the rubber strip needs to be put back in to reduce wind noise.

Jake-AudiUSAParts

^^^^^This guy is fast!

Lyth

=)

mjaiello

Yes, rubber strips are in. But no, wasn't aware of they should be off unless used. How does it affect the stability control? Does it just sense the drag?

On another topic, just received my NY plates today (I bought it in NJ). Is there supposed to be a front license plate holder that mounts to the grill/bumper? I see no way to secure the plate to the front without it. There was nothing in the rear compartment for that like I've had with other vehicles.

mjaiello

Just spoke to my dealer and he said there is no front bracket, that you just screw the plate into the plastic "frame" on the bumper/grill. I'll take his word for it, but would like to hear from an enthusiast out there that that is in fact the case.

ryan_qttro

You can leave roof racks on if you aren't using them, the traction control assumes 150 lbs once it see's roof rack on, and is just more aware with roof racks on. Does not take away any performance

Lyth

Even so they make a lot noise so I don't leave them on.

Lyth

There is a front bracket, it's a little larger than the license plate. The dealer put my plate on for me but I watched. They used self tapping screws as there were no pre drilled holes.