moonroof vs. sunroof

[CX7_Scott]

Back in the '80s... I was told (possibly in error) that a sunroof "opens" to the open air and moonroofs were fixed-glass... sometimes flipping open slightly as a vent.

Basically, I was told if it retracted, it's a sunroof. If it's fixed and/or hinged, it's a moonroof.

Now, Mazda calls this a moonroof...? What is the real definition...?

-sf

[mountjonas]

i always thought the difference between a sunroof and moonroof was that the sunroof was a body panel while the moonroof is glass.

[Newf]

I've always looked at it like this

A moonroof, is a piece of glass, and has a visor on it to cover it. At night you can look up and see the moon!

A sunroof is on a hinge, tilts, no visor and if you look up at night....well I guess you can still see the moon ?!?!?

Ah man, it is confusing.

[CX7_Scott]

I did a little research... seems they're both the same.

Apparently, Ford started calling them MoonRoofs a while back - probably a marketing thing... but they've always been the same-thing.

Gee... maybe I shoulda Googled it BEFORE asking the question here. :)

[Jeph]

Heh, I don't think it matters, both are big holes in your roof...

[Mazda3]

Sunroof only tilts open at the back, Moonroof slides open all the way.

[sanblaster]

A sunroof opens in one direction and a moonroof tilts up at an angle and can open all the way. (open 2 different ways.)

[tdf2001]

Check this Link

http://ask.yahoo.com/20030617.html

[CX7_Scott]

again - they are interoperable. Both mean the same thing.

Over the years, many people have coined their OWN definitions and justified why... but they are one-in-the-same.

Confirmed this on a few sites... two of which sell & install sunroofs/moonroofs.

[TheMAN]

who cares about what it's called... I always will call "the hole in the roof" a sunroof simply because it's easier for me to say it... everyone will know what you mean anyway, so it doesn't matter

[CX7_Scott]

I care. I want to at least know what I'm talking about when asked about something - which I was. A co-worker had asked about the moonroof and the difference between that & a sunroof and I did not have the answer.

It doesn't hurt to learn a little something new every day. No, it's not life-threatening or earth-shatering... but it was worthy of a small discussion. I learned something new. I'd rather speak knowledgeably about something than spout ignorance. :)

-sf

[NoRotor,NoMotor]

smoonroof

[vindication]

duh, this is soo simple. as for the moonroof you can only see the moon when you look out of it and the sunroof you can only see the sun. you can never see the sun through the moonroof nor the moon through the sunroof. If you can, than take it to the dealer cause it's defective they should replace it unless they consider any mods you have done to be the cause of the defect....such as decals or the like.

[jadonP5]

i call mine a sunroof during the day, but a moonroof at night....it gets kind of confusing around daylight savings time because it's always goddam dark outside, and i find myself constantly calling it a moonroof.

[tdf2001]

again - they are interoperable. Both mean the same thing.

Maybe so today, but I think the destinction that a moonroof is made from glass and a sunroof is made from metal WAS valid back then when the latter were still being produced.

[G-Papi]

I've often wondered, but never asked. I'm enjoying this conversation.

[cleoent]

i always thought the difference between a sunroof and moonroof was that the sunroof was a body panel while the moonroof is glass.

this is the truth.

[JimboNC]

Back in the 1970s the German cars had sunroofs, the metal panel was fully retractable just like today. When the Japanese manufacturers offered the option they called it a moonroof and used glass instead of the roof panel. It was a marketing idea which caught on. More people wanted the glass than the steel panel. After market sun-moonroofs did not retract, they only tilted up. Today, after market installations can retract but over the roof, not under it.

[azcat]

The Old Fart signs in...

In 1975, I bought a Scirroco (a VW) with a dealer-installed moonroof--a hole was cut in the sheet metal, a window that would pop open at the back (manually) was dropped in (and leaked). The factory installed a sunroof--an electrically-operated sheetmetal opening that slid back or tilted open at the rear.

In 1986 and 1987, I had Nissan Maximas with moonroofs--an electrically-operated glass window in the roof that slid back or tilted open at the back. They didn't leak.

So, based on this, a sunroof is a sheet metal window, a moonroof is glass. Neither should leak.

Having said all that, both are too freaking loud when open, but the moonroof is nice at night. In the day, the sun is too hot through the glass, so I close the shade. And yes, when the top is down on the Miata, I wear sunscreen, a hat, and earplugs.

[Platonium]

I missed having moon/sun roofs in my last two cars. I really like the light this one adds to the dark interior. Regardless of what it's called, as long as it doesn't leak or rattle, I'm glad I got it.

[P5w3kids]

Maybe so today, but I think the destinction that a moonroof is made from glass and a sunroof is made from metal WAS valid back then when the latter were still being produced.

This is my understanding as well. Some people here have probably never seen a metal sunroof. But that used to be the only type you'd find on a European car. Americans started the moonroof thing, and then Honda decided everyone who wanted a top trim line should have one...