Rack Up the Possibilities: How to Install Roof Racks on Your Infiniti Q50

Last Updated on 2025-09-08

If you own an Infiniti Q50 and are even somewhat into weekend adventures or long road trips, roof racks are a great upgrade. No doubt, the Q50 is sleek and fast, but let’s be honest; the trunk space is limited. Once you start to pack camping gear, bikes, skis, or even large duffel bags, you will certainly feel challenged for space.

That’s where roof racks come in. I’ve helped a few friends and done it myself, and if you know what to do, it’s simple. Once it’s up there, your car gets a new personality — more utility and more attitude. Best of all, it looks great.

Why Roof Racks Are Worth It on a Q50

The Infiniti Q50 isn’t your typical adventure vehicle, but once you throw some roof racks on it, it starts stepping into a whole new world. You’re adding a ton of practicality without touching the interior, which means you’re not cramming muddy gear into the back seat or struggling to close the trunk. It opens up your car to a more active lifestyle. It might not seem like a huge deal at first, but the first time you take your gear on the roof instead of playing Tetris in the trunk, you’ll get it. And beyond that, the car just looks tougher. There’s something about a well-installed rack system that gives your Q50 a little extra character — like it’s ready to leave the city and head out into the wild.

Selecting an Appropriate Roof Rack System

Before getting anything for your roof, you need to figure out the exact structure you are trying to get. The Infiniti Q50 has a smooth profile and sleek edges so aftermarket setups are most likely the correct choice. You will need a fitting rack. Spending a little extra and getting a made for your model year setup is extremely better than trying to forcing something to fit.

A mismatch would be terrible as wrong setups could lead to rattling or shifting during travel and even worse, flying off during use on the freeway, then losing compatibility. You can get the whole aftermarket setup with reliable options from brands like Yakima or Thule. If your car doesn’t already have the factory stylized rails, crossbars or towers, you’ll have to get the full kit which does include everything. Blending kits could be the wrong step so I wouldn’t suggest trying unless you really know what you are doing.

Comprehending Roof Rack Components

After opening the box, you should notice some new parts like towers, bars, rubber pads, and metal clips. While a bit overwhelming at first glance, everything is simpler than it seems. The ‘feet’ or ‘towers’ parts of the system are the ones that keep the crossbars in place; they grip the roof of your car. The crossbars are the horizontal pieces where your gear goes, it is most likely a long bar.

The fit kit is the custom-made section designed to ensure that the towers will be positioned safely as well as on the Q50’s curves. It helps the fit kit to stay in place on the Q50. For first-timers, it’s going to be less challenging than it seems. All you need to do is put everything on a clean surfaces and check for all the pieces. Remember to breathe as stress anywhere won’t help. It’s kind of like following LEGO instructions, except these are adult LEGOs.

Getting Ready for Installation

A great way to prep for your installation is cleaning your roof. Cleaning your roof provies an excellent surface to work with. Imagine scratching your paint, that would be awful right? Well, dirt and dust hides all over your towers, and interacting with the grime leads to a gunky mess.

What can you do about it? Well, clean your roof and save your self the trouble. You should also park your car in a flat area, so that your tools don’t get in the way. You need sharp lighting to see everything and clean your tools beforehand. Don't forget to set up prior as well, as everything should be in order to make the installation go smoother and make the instructions easy to follow. Following instructions saves you grief in the long run._handles misalignment and you save time in the installation process.

Installing the Towers and Fit Kit

This is the part we’ve all been waiting for. Firstly, position the fit kits in the locations along the roofline indicated by the manufacturer. Don’t attempt to place them haphazardly as these parts are designed to fit the specific angles of the Q50’s roof. After alignment, you can begin placing the towers on the top. Use the lightest of grips to begin with — no final adjustments should be made until alignment has been confirmed. Equal symmetry is crucial for each side of the vehicle. Visually, even a slight asymmetric difference will disrupt balance, and may interfere with load equilibrium. As previously mentioned, take your time. Balance and accuracy on this step makes the rest easier.

Attaching the Crossbars and Modifying Their Position

After the towers and fit kits are firmly fixed, affix the crossbars to the towers. Ensure your Infiniti Q50's crossbars are positioned equally on both sides for a symmetrical and well-balanced look.

The majority of roof racks allow you to rearrange the configuration to suit your cargo needs by providing adjustable crossbar positioning options.

Utilize this versatility to your advantage by arranging the crossbars optimally, considering aerodynamics and the specific cargo you intend to convey.

Safety and Inspection of the Roof Rack

Once everything is installed, ensure the unit does not have to be calibrated before being loaded by carrying out a full test. Grab the rack and shake it side to side. If anything wobbles or creaks, stop and recheck all bolts and alignment. Take the car for a short drive around the block, paying extra attention to strange wind noise or rattling. Some extra wind noise is to be expected, it’s the cross bars that cause it. Most square style crossbars will allow more wind noise than the more aerodynamic options, but the crossbars must not be loose.

Extra wind noise is okay, but no rattling should be present. Also consider checking after your first highway drive. Weather and vibrations can cause bolts to loosen, and can change over time. If security bolts or locking cores are provided with the rack, install them. This will stop curious people from tampering with your setup in a parking lot.

Taking It Further With Accessories

After putting the base rack on, there are a lot of options that can be added based on your needs. Roof boxes are godsent during travel and when the weather goes haywire - you can keep your things dry and the inside of your vehicle clean. If you are a cycling enthusiast, there are bike mounts that will lock your bike’s frame or wheels onto the bars. Surfboards, skiis, and even lumber can be carried by the rack as long as it can be strapped down. Moreover, wind deflectors, end caps, and locks that improve the silence, safety, and functionality of the setup add to the overall range of equipment. If you want to go all the way with customization, order the matching colored bars that go with the rack or get low profile mounts which keep the Q50 sleek and tidy. However, ensure that the equipment that you purchase are compatible with the bars that you own.

Final Thoughts from the Garage

Adding a roof rack to your Infiniti Q50 is more than just acquiring additional space; it is about enhancing the ability of your car. No longer will you be constrained by the amounts of space in the trunk or cabin. You are all set for a long drive, weekend camping excursions, late night trips to IKEA, and much more. Best of all, this is something you can easily do on your own. With a few hours of your time and some warm patience, you have the capability to make your Q50 far more versatile.

And rest assured, you won’t have to sacrifice the style and smooth ride that you so greatly adore. Need a hand loading something big up there or strapping a kayak down? Just give me a ring — I have a couple of extra straps and a trusty step stool stashed in the garage.