IMPORTANT WARNING
IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL YAKIMA RACKS AND ACCESSORIES BE PROPERLY AND SECURELY ATTACHED TO YOUR VEHICLE. IMPROPER
ATTACHMENT COULD RESULT IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR
TO OTHERS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURING THE RACKS AND ACCESSORIES TO YOUR CAR, CHECKING THE ATTACHMENTS
PRIOR TO USE, AND PERIODICALLY INSPECTING THE PRODUCTS FOR ADJUSTMENT, WEAR, AND DAMAGE. THEREFORE, YOU MUST READ AND
UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAUTIONS SUPPLIED WITH YOUR YAKIMA PRODUCT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OR USE. IF YOU
DO NOT UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAUTIONS, OR IF YOU HAVE NO MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE AND ARE NOT THOROUGHLY
FAMILIAR WITH THE INSTALLATION PROCEDURES, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE PRODUCT INSTALLED BY A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER.
Vehicle-specific Q-
Clips and crossbars are
sold separately in pairs.
Q-CLIPS
VINYL PADS
CLIP SHEET
BASE PADS
CROSSBARS
Q-TOWER (4X)
END CAP (4X)
LOCK
HOUSING (4X)
STICKERS (1x)
CLIP
FASTENER (4X)
TAPE
MEASURE (1X)
GOLD SLIDER
HASH
MARKS
CAM
COVER
ADJUSTMENT POST STICKER
Q-Clip
BASE PAD
VINYL PADS
LOCK
HOUSING
CLIP FASTENER
LOCK CORE
(OPTIONAL)
END
CAP
BLADED AIRCRAFT RAIN
GUTTER
HOOK
Q-Clip families.
Overview
Prepare for
installation
Install front
towers
Install rear
towers
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
Anatomy of the Q-Tower.
There are several shapes and sizes of Q-Clips, but they all fall into five Q-Clip categories. Every vehicle
needs a specific Q Clip to install Q-Towers. For this reason Q-Clips must be purchased separately. Examples
of the five different categories of Q Clips are depicted below.
OEM
(ATTACHES TO FACTORY
INSTALLED VEHICLE FEATURE)
CLIP
HOLDER
Unscrew the adjustment posts to
remove the covers from each of
your four towers.
Remove the covers.
Open towers.
Open each tower
to access the
tower screw.
Loosen all four tower
screws until the crossbar
can fit through the tower
(refer to next step).
Slide towers onto bars.
Slide two towers
onto each crossbar.
Find Your 4 M’s (measurements).
Locate the precise measurements
for your car on the Q-clip sheet.
Write down your four measurements
in the spaces provided to the right.
Keep these instructions in a safe
place for future reference.
Overview
Prepare for
installation
Install front
towers
Install rear
towers
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
YOUR CAR:
M1
M3
M1
M3
TIP: To center crossbar between towers after setting your measurement use this
technique. While pushing downward and rotating the crossbar, adjust the crossbar as
needed to the left or right. Double check your M1 measurement and adjust if necessary.
Set M1, M3 and center bars.
Be sure to not
move the towers.
Tighten tower/bar assembly.
Snap the
covers shut.
Install end caps and correct pads.
Keep the pads clean and
free of debris. Clean pads
as necessary, and keep
them clean by not setting
them on a dirty surface.
Attach correct pads. Some cars require different
pads on front (M1) and rear (M3). Pad letter is
located in the center of each pad.
MUST BE PERFECTLY FLAT
MUST BE PERFECTLY FLAT
Pull the measuring tape tight to ensure accurate measurements.
Measurements must be accurate to within 1/8” (3.2 mm).
Label front
towers.
Label rear
towers.
Label the towers.
snap
snap
Note: Set measurements on a flat surface away from vehicle.
M2
M2
Position Front Towers.
• Clean car roof where towers will set.
• Set the assembly on the roof.
Set M2.
Overview
Prepare for
installation
Install front
towers
Install rear
towers
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
• Reference Clip Sheet
instructions to see which clips
are the front clips for your car.
Apply vinyl pads to front clips.
TIP: Verify this measurement
repeatedly during installation.
Center front rack
on vehicle.
Center racks side to
side by measuring from
the door frame to tower
base. Measuring points
and distances on both
sides must be equal.
• Apply black vinyl pads wherever clip
touches car paint. Be sure to cover
clip edges. Trim if necessary.
Some cars require
different clips at front
and rear. Clip number
is located here.
• USE THE M2
MEASUREMENT you
identified in step 4.
• Measure the shortest
distance from leading edge
of tower base to nearest
painted roofline corner.
• Once positioned DO NOT
MOVE.
windshield
rooftop
trim
DO NOT MOVE TOWERS! If you
bump the towers you’ll need to go
back and reposition them (step 9).
• Open both driver’s side and
passenger side front doors.
• Carefully thread adjustment post
on to tower to get the cover
loosely attached (2 turns max).
• Repeat for other side.
• Carefully push the clip in place up
against the door frame. DO NOT
MOVE THE TOWERS.
• Using the adjustment post, take
slack out of the system until the
cam cover closes easily while
holding the clip to the door frame.
DO NOT FULLY TIGHTEN.
• Repeat for other side.
Loosely attach cam covers.
Assemble front Q-Clips and lock housings.
• Insert the correct clip through
the slits in clip holder.
• Insert lock housing through
holes in clip and clip holder.
• Place clip fastener
over lock housing to
secure assembly.
Check your M2 again. Correct if needed (step 10).
a
b
The objective: Your installation will be
complete once you achieve balanced tower tension.
Install System
The technique: Slowly tighten your towers by turning the adjustment posts clockwise one
full turn at a time, alternating from driver’s side tower to passenger’s side tower. Close the
Cam Cover after each adjustment. Only one Cam Cover can be open at a time.
Hold tower base. While
holding the clip in place
with your thumb, tighten
adjustment post one
turn, then...
lower cam cover
with opposite thumb
until cam cover is
under tension, then...
bring both thumbs up
to cam cover while
pulling tower base
towards you...
use both thumbs to
snap the cam cover
shut.
Alternate from
driver’s side to
passenger’s side.
Perform this technique on both the driver side and passenger side in
an alternating fashion until you achieve balanced tower tension.
START
HERE
hash
marks
gold
slider
bladed clips
(see page 2)
1. Cam Cover closes with firm and equal resistance
on both sides of the vehicle.
2. Gold Slider positions are equal on both sides of the
vehicle. Reference hash marks on tower body.
3. For Bladed Clips Only: Gold Slider position must
also be ON OR BETWEEN HASH MARKS.
BALANCED TOWER TENSION REQUIREMENTS
M4
R8A9N1D
Position rear towers.
• Clean car roof where towers will set.
• Set the assembly on the roof.
Set Measurement Four.
• USE THE M4 MEASUREMENT
you identified in step 4.
• Measure from center of bar to
center of bar.
• Once positioned DO NOT MOVE.
NOTE: This measurement must be
accurate for proper installation.
Overview
Prepare for
installation
Install front
towers
Install rear
towers
Perform safety
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
Perform Safety Checks With Car Doors Open.
CHECK EACH TOWER!
Grip the bar inboard to
towers; push and pull
using only arm strength.
If any of the clips or Towers move, reset
M2, check gold slider positions, and
fine tune by tightening adjustment posts
gradually (step 15b). If there is still
movement after fine tuning, verify the M1.
CHECK EACH CLIP!
Pull each clip away
from car. PULL HARD!
Repeat twice.
Clip should
not move on
second pull.
Center rear rack
on vehicle.
Center racks side to side by
measuring from the door frame
to tower base. Measuring
points and distances on both
sides must be equal.
Perform Safety Checks With Car Doors Open.
CHECK EACH CLIP!
Pull each clip away
from car. PULL HARD!
CHECK EACH TOWER!
Grip the bar inboard to
towers; push and pull
using only arm strength.
Install rear system: Repeat steps 12 through 16.
FAILURE TO CHECK CLIPS AND TOWERS BEFORE DRIVING AWAY CAN
RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
Step 12: Line rear clips with vinyl pads.
Step 13: Assemble rear Q-Clips and lock housings.
Step 14: Attach cam covers.
Step 15: Increase the tower tensions equally (gold
slider positions must match each other!).
Step 16: Perform Safety Checks With Car Doors Open.
Covers must close with firm resistance.
CHECK EACH CLIP…CHECK EACH TOWER.
Overview
Prepare for
installation
Install front
towers
Install rear
towers
Perform saftey
checks
YOU ARE
HERE
REMOVING THE SYSTEM
Unlock towers and open cam covers.
Lift rack up and off (do not disassemble).
INSTALLING RACKS AGAIN
• Opencamcovers.
• CleanroofandplacetowersatM2andM4
positions; measure carefully.
• Makesureclipsareseatedproperly,thenclose
cam covers with firm resistance.
PERFORM SAFETY CHECKS ON ALL TOWERS AND
CLIPS AFTER EVERY INSTALLATION! (Step 21)
If any of the clips or Towers move, reset M4, check gold
slider positions, and fine tune by tightening adjustment
posts gradually (step 15b). If there is still movement after
fine tuning, verify the M3.
Once installed, easy on easy off without tools.
Repeat twice.
Clip should
not move on
second pull.
=
K
E
E
P T H E S E I N S T R U C T I O N S !
WARNING: Be sure all hardware is secured according to instructions. Attachment
hardware can loosen over time. Check before each use, and tighten if necessary.
REAR HATCH
Some longer loads may
prevent the rear hatch
from fully opening.
USE CAUTION
WHEN OPENING
YOUR HATCH.
SUN ROOF
USE CAUTION WHEN
OPENING SUNROOF.
Sunroof may
interfere with
crossbars or
accessories.
FACTORY LUGGAGE CARRIER
If the vehicle is equipped with a factory luggage
carrier, it may interfere with some accessories.
ANTENNA
Antenna on the roof may need to
be removed to prevent interference
with the rack or long loads.
Be sure to read all
the warnings and
warranty information
contained in the
insert accompanying
these instructions!
THIS PRODUCT
(15.5 lbs. / 7 kg)
WEIGHT LIMITS
Failure to check clips and towers before driving away can
result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
Not more than 165
lbs. (75 kg) unless
otherwise noted.
ANY ACCESSORIES LOAD
LOCK THE
TOWERS.
If you have purchased lock cores, install
them according to lock instructions.
Any load extending over the
windshield (except luggage
boxes) must be secured to
both the front and rear of
the vehicle, in addition to the rack. Failure to do so can
result in property damage, personal injury or death.
Tie down LONG LOADS
IMPORTANT!
