How Can I Tell if I have Fixed Mounting Points on My 2015 Mazda CX-5 for a Crossbar System?

Question

Question:

I have a 2015 CX5 without a factory roof rack or side rails. I do have a rubber strip on each side of the roof that runs front to back. Is this considered a naked roof? I am thinking that there may be fixed points under the rubber strip that could be used to secure the after market roof rack or would I need to get a clamp style? Thank you.

asked by: Ken B

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

According to the specs I have, you may have fixed mounting points on those rubber strips on your 2015 Mazda CX-5. The way you can tell is if there is a small removable tab on those rails that cover the holes. I went ahead and attached a video of a 2015 Mazda CX-5 with fixed mounting points to give you perspective about what to look for.

If you determine that you have fixed mounting points, I recommend the following setup:

- Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 46" # RRVA118B-2
- Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - Naked Roofs or Fixed Mounting Points # RRRLKVA
- Custom DK Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Roof Rack Legs - Fixed Mounting Points # DK289
- All-Metal Lock Cores # RRVA-LEC4

With this system, the fit kid screws right into the fixed mounting points. The Vortex Aero crossbars provide you with an extremely aerodynamic system to decrease wind resistance and noise.

If you determine that you do not have fixed mounting points on your naked roof, I recommend the following setup:

- Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 60" # Y00426
- BaseLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Naked Roofs # Y28TR
- BaseClip Fit Kit for Yakima BaseLine Roof Rack Towers - Qty 2 # Y06130
- BaseClip Fit Kit for Yakima BaseLine Roof Rack Towers - Qty 2 # Y06132
- Yakima Same-Key Lock Cores # Y07204

With the Yakima setup, the BaseClips install into the door jambs of your CX-5. With the JetStream crossbars, you get the benefit of an aerodynamic system as well. I went ahead and attached a video that shows how this system installs on a 2018 model of CX-5 without using fixed mounting points.

expert reply by: Bob C

1

Jon L.

8/20/2024

Bob: I have a 2015 Mazda CX-5 with the rubber strips. These rubber strips do NOT have the removable tabs that you describe above. However, the rubber strips ARE covering four brackets (4-6" long) where you can attach the factory side rails. Each of these four brackets have two threaded holes that appear to fit a 6mm bolt. So, are these the (8) threaded holes the fixed mounting points you describe or are these only to be used to attach the side rails? I can't imagine Mazda would design their cars to be configured with two completely different roof mounting points at the factory. But then again, maybe a roof rack requires a beefier connection to account for a greater amount of force placed on the rack. What are your thoughts? -Jon

Reply

Jameson C.

8/20/2024

@JonL It does sound like you have found the correct holes for a roof rack to attach to.

Reply

Jerryh.

12/15/2024

@JonL I have the rubber strips with no removable tabs over the mounting holes also. What did you end up doing?

Reply

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How Can I Tell if I have Fixed Mounting Points on My 2015 Mazda CX-5 for a Crossbar System?

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