Difference Between Moon/Sun Roof

chud53 · February 12, 2007

ok just a quick question, what is the difference between a sun roof and a moon roof??? This has been bugging me for quite some time cuz they seem to be the exact same thing to me....HELP

HyperBuzzin · February 12, 2007

Used to be that moon roofs were glass and sunroofs were metal.

The term sun roof is more popular nowadays though to describe the glass ones, seeing as the metal ones aren't all that common anymore and sun roof sounds better.

jhm · February 12, 2007

The term sun roof was more popular in the 70's. I think people in the hotter states were not buying them thinking the sun was going to scortch them. The auto makers started calling them moon roofs in the 80's which sounds more exotic and does not sound like you will be getting sun burned.

HyperBuzzin · February 12, 2007

The term sun roof was more popular in the 70's. I think people in the hotter states were not buying them thinking the sun was going to scortch them. The auto makers started calling them moon roofs in the 80's which sounds more exotic and does not sound like you will be getting sun burned.

Uh, the term 'moon roof' was started by Ford, in the 70's.

Truckin2003 · February 12, 2007

i thought that the moonroof pops up to open and a sunroof slides back

but thats just what i thought

jhm · February 12, 2007

Uh, the term 'moon roof' was started by Ford, in the 70's.

OK if you say so. I just remember in the 70's sunroof was the most common term. I recall moonroof being first used in ads for luxury cars during the 80"s. Basically they are interchangeable terms now.

pm26 · February 12, 2007

It's a "sunroof" when you open it on a sunny day, a "moonroof" when you open it on a clear night, and a "cloud roof" when you open it on a cloudy day. And when it leaks, it becomes a "leak roof". Any more questions?

Draenor · February 12, 2007

Sunroof

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A sliding glass moonroof on an Acura IntegraA sunroof is an opening in an automobile roof. Sunroofs may be either fixed or operable.

Historically, sunroofs have been opaque and open to the air to allow the sun to shine directly into the vehicle, while moonroofs have generally been transparent or semi-transparent and designed to remain closed while allowing muted light to penetrate the vehicle.

Variations have become the norm and often combine the features of the Sun and Moon types into a single device. It is not uncommon to see tinted glass that can retract fully like a traditional sun roof, remain closed like a traditional moon roof, or tilt to allow for airflow.

Modern implementations often include a sliding shade that usually matches the internal roof upholstery and provides a way of essentially hiding the sun/moon roof behind it. The American Sunroof Company is often credited for creating the modern moonroof.

Sunroofs can be manual or electric. Manual sunroofs are usually flipped up to create a small opening around the edges, or are removed completely. Electric sunroofs either flip up and slide back on top of the roof, or down and into the roof. An electric sunroof will have the facility to be closed manually if the motor or control circuitry fails.

ricko2 · February 12, 2007

It's a "sunroof" when you open it on a sunny day, a "moonroof" when you open it on a clear night, and a "cloud roof" when you open it on a cloudy day. And when it leaks, it becomes a "leak roof". Any more questions?

Thats what I was thinking.

FJB20 · February 12, 2007

They are all the same. Christ it's a dark piece of glass right above you What more do you need to know !!

HyperBuzzin · February 13, 2007

Not all of them are glass. Christ, didn't you know that?!

jhm · February 13, 2007

getting to technical for me.

concours · February 15, 2007

It's a rarely used, poorly engineered device that reduces interior headroom by 2 or more inches. Fricken $50,000, 6,000 lb. truck and my head rubs the ceiling. I'm only 6'-2"!!!!! d**n the "soccer Mom's needs first" panty waist designers at GM!!!!