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Why have a sunroof that opens - do you ever open yours?

14K views 108 replies 67 participants last post by  IR8300  
#1 ·
Vehicle Details:
Forester Limited
I've owned several different vehicles over the years and have never understood why sunroofs were designed to open. I do occasionally enjoy the extra light from them, but have never felt the need for them to open. All of the associated hardware, electronics, motors and gaskets necessary to open and close, for me are wasted. They also create failure points. Most likely, never opening one that opens might also cause future problems. For me, I can either pass or wish they were just like a front windshield and couldn't open.
 
#7 ·
You could pop the cover off, and unplug the motor switch if you don't ever want it to open.

It's still wasted hardware, but at least it won't fail. The felt seals should in theory keep debris out to prevent clogged drains.

The mechanism on my '99 neon is broken (common issue on those), and I have it permanently shut with screws and clips to prevent air pressure from lifting it. The mechanism is actually removed. The screws are on the underside. It would launch into the air without them. (Previous owner's experience)

But: It's been well over 10 years now, and the drains still drain.

Back to the Forester: I have found that road noise is greatly reduced by keeping the slide cover closed - glass obviously closed also.

So the trade off for more ambient light is more noise. Therefore on longer trips, I tend to leave the glass and headliner cover closed.
 
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#8 ·
When the Forester was new, I sometimes ran with the glass open, and found that an accessory clear plastic deflector helped with wind and noise. After awhile, I rarely opened it. I tinted the glass when new, and leave it uncovered all year, on all but the hottest summer days. So for the way I use it, the glass need not have the complexity and expense of operability.
 
#9 ·
My wife uses the sunroof to expel the heat when starting up the car. It does cool off faster. Also, by experience with another car in the 80s, if you have your sunroof open at night and the heater on full blast, you can feel the hot air go by your face. Finally, I heard that a vehicle with a sunroof is reinforced more than one without. That was the case with my Dodge Magnum.
 
#17 ·
My wife uses the sunroof to expel the heat when starting up the car. It does cool off faster. Also, by experience with another car in the 80s, if you have your sunroof open at night and the heater on full blast, you can feel the hot air. Finally, I heard that a vehicle with a sunroof is reinforced more than one without. That was the case with my Dodge Magnum.
In my opinion expelling the hot air in my Forester when first starting up is the best use of an opening sunroof. Except for this purpose I never open the sunroof.
 
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#12 ·
As @2015espy noted, on a very hot day, opening the sunroof while blasting the AC will cool the car interior much faster.
When I lived in Phoenix, that made a huge difference.
That's pretty much the extent I've used on cars so equipped.

Manufacturer's seldom come up with features that make everyone happy.. ;)
 
#13 ·
Your car parked closed in the hot sun will get to a much higher interior temperature than the outside air (remember all that talk about dogs and babies being dangerously forgotten?). An open sunroof acts just like a chimney and makes a huge difference in rapidly bringing the car down to ambient temperatures (and below, if you're talking about an a/c situation). Sure, when it's 90-100F and sunny, it's too hot to keep a sunroof open, but there is hardly anywhere in the world where there aren't cooler temperatures other parts of the day, and whole other months of the year, when an open sunroof may be very pleasant indeed. Certainly, I respect the freedom to choose whether to buy a sunroof or not, but I personally NEVER would buy a car without an openable one (PS, at the moment, I'm looking at you, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Subara Solterra, Tesla, VW ID.4, et al.)
 
#14 ·
Actually, a sunroof is a solid panel and a moonroof is see-thru. So a moonroof that doesn't open would still be see-thru, but a sunroof that doesn't open would be a roof-patch.

I use my moonroof a lot.
 
#15 ·
Odd question.

I think it's obvious why some may like a sliding sunroof. I don't particularly care for them myself but my wife uses hers on nice days especially down at the beach. I've used it to air the car out, let more light in when needed, etc.

As for a failure point when used, sure, it's possible but I never had an issue with her 2008 the 13 years she had it and 250k+ miles. No issues so far with her 2020 either going on 4 years and 50k+. ....and don't expect to.
 
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#20 ·
There have been some issues noted with sunroofs on this site, so it's not like a problem never happens...
That said, if I had a car with a sunroof, I'd expect it to be able to open...
....not saying it doesn't happen but do I think there are enough people complaining about leaking sunroofs to cause concern in this instance? .....no, and really no reason to avoid its use IMO / IME. That was my point.
 
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#18 ·
Every single vehicle I've bought has had one and it has definitely been opened. Even the ones I had in my first gen Nissan Frontier and my Honda Element. Both of those had a glass panel that could either be flipped up or removed by hand. I really fell in love with that massive panel in the Element. So you know I was really happy to see the one in the Forester! As bingow alluded to, they're great for popping up out of for taking photos of more reluctant or dangerous critters. I also just enjoy the open feeling.

The only problem I have with my Forester sunroof is the pop-up deflector being fabric. No idea who came up with that but they are an absolute idiot who needs to be dressed down. The thing is emmeshed with bugs and a PITA to clean.
 
#19 ·
The moonroof in my Rav4 is more useful because it opens 2 ways, retract like my Forester or tip up in the rear. Tipped up offers lower wind noise and gentle airflow with rain and UV protection.
 
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#21 ·
I was happy that the ‘20 Crosstrek I purchased new off of the lot didn’t have one. I rarely use one, I don’t like the probable loss of headroom, and I don’t want to deal with the leaks and mechanical problems associated with them. Howewever, I’m stuck with one on my ‘23 Forester Wilderness.

I’ve opened it a few times so far in the 3 months I’ve had the car, and only at night. I do what I can to stay out of the sun. And with a Forester, headroom is a non issue.
 
#26 ·
In my Forester it gave up the ghost a long time ago. Now I just keep it shut and disconnected the switch. I'd love to have it again if just for the winter months when I can blast the heater floor vents and crack it just a little to exhaust the excess heat that easily dries up my sinuses on long trips. The tilt function still works great in my 1st generation Toyota Avalon and it's so useful for that.
 
#29 ·
When it gets above 58 degrees, I open my "Poor Man's Convertible" all the time. Not on the highway tho.
 
owns 2023 Subaru Forester Touring
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