453 Roof Rack

I bought my smart 453 roof rack from AliExpress. Click here (make sure you select the correct one for your car).

Takes the key…

…place it in the lock and twist to unlock the side cover.

Slide the side cover off…

…to reveal the business end of the rack system.

These are the hooks that clamp around the body of the car.

The stop paint damage, apply an adhesive foam strip to the inside of each hook.

Slide the hook into the receiver and the receiver into the rack end as shown here.

Put the rubber feet onto the rack…

…again to protect the paint.

Off the rack up to the car.

Adjust the width of the rack by undoing this bolt which then turns into a push button for adjustment.

This video explains the adjustment better than words.

Adjust the rack so the legs sit evenly on the car’s roof spars equally on both sides.

Tighten the lower bolt to draw in the the hook. Do both sides to keep it even and equalise the clamping pressure and location on the roof. There is no need to over tighten these.

Ensure that the roof rack legs stay in position on the metal side part of the roof and doesn’t touch the roof itself.

Slide the end caps back on…

…and lock them into position. Put the keys somewhere safe.

Repeat with the next spar and double check that they are secure to the car.

Don’t overload the roof rack.