Sunroof:
An automotive sunroof is a movable panel that’s operable to uncover a window in an automobile roof, which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. A moonroof includes a glass panel that’s transparent and typically tinted. Sunroofs are either operated by hand or motor-driven and are available in many shapes, sizes, and designs. While the term sunroof is now used generically to explain any glass panel within the roof, the term “moonroof” was historically wont to describe stationary glass panes rigidly mounted within the roof panel over the passenger compartment. Previous terms include Sunshine Roof, Sliding Head, and Sliding Roof.
Sunroofs vs Moonroofs:
While some people use the 2 terms interchanging, the titles of sunroof and moonroof can indicate the amount of sunshine that gets let into the vehicle. A sunroof may be a retractable roof panel, letting in air and lightweight into the vehicle; they’re often made from an opaque tinted material. On the opposite hand, a moonroof is fully glass, thus letting in light even when closed. Many car manufacturers are now creating hybrid options – offering a glass retractable panel but with an electrical sunshade to stay out any unwanted bright light.

What is the use of a Sunroof?
Sunroof Uses:
Sunroofs in a car have many uses, some are as follows:
- Better light in the car.
When driving on a cloudy day, as long as open the sunshade of the sunroof, the light inside the car will be brighter. If the car has a dark interior, it will feel more obvious.
- Air permeability in dense traffic.
When the car is moving, the window can be opened for air. However, if you open the window at a low speed or in a traffic jam, you will breathe in a lot of exhaust gas and dust. At this time, if there is a sunroof, you can only open it to breathe cleaner air.
- Open the sunroof on the highway.
On the highway, due to the high speed, the wind speed and wind noise will become higher, which will affect the safety of the driver. But the sunroof solves the problem. It has two modes, one is to open directly, the other is to lift the sunroof a crack. This method will not produce a lot of wind noise but can also ventilate.
- Safe parking and rest.
When you are tired of driving, you should stop for a rest. Stopping the car, closing the windows, and turning on the air conditioner is not only not environmentally friendly, but also likely to cause carbon monoxide poisoning. And open the window, will worry about the doors will be opened to steal things while sleeping. If the car has a sunroof, you can turn your car off and rest in peace.
What are the types of Sunroofs?
Sunroof Types:
Roof systems are available in many shapes, sizes, and styles, and are known by many names. the most types are as follows:
Pop-up sunroofs:
Are simply operated by hand tilting panels. These panels are usually removable, and like T-roofs, must be stored when removed. The tilting action provides a vent within the roof, or a full opening when the panel is removed. Pop-ups are installed in most vehicles and are relatively inexpensive.
Spoiler sunroofs (tilt-&-slides):
Combine the features of a pop-up with those of a sliding roof system. They tilt to vent and slide open above the roof, requiring little headroom or roof length. Spoilers typically don’t provide as large a gap as other roof systems but offer the convenience of a self-storing panel. Most spoiler roofs are electric, with optional features like integrated shades and express open/close. Spoilers are ideal for short-roof vehicles where other varieties of sliders can’t be installed.
Inbuilt sunroof systems:
Have a panel that slides between the metal roof and interior headliner, requiring some loss of headroom but providing a full opening within the roof. All inbuilt slide inside the roof, while some also include a rear venting feature (see pop-up), and/or express open/close functions. Inbuilt don’t fit every vehicle, because the panel must slide and store completely within the vehicle roof. Historically, inbuilt were a metal sunroof panel painted to match the vehicle roof, but now most are glass-panel systems with sliding sunshades (typically noted as moonroofs).
Folding sunroofs (often called rag-tops or Cabrio coach):
They provide the convenience of a sunroof, with a gap more sort of a convertible. The panel is formed of a material (often vinyl), which folds back because it slides open. After an extended absence in Markets, folding sunroofs have experienced a resurgence with several new factory-installed options. Aftermarket versions were once only manual but now are available in powered versions.
Top-mount sliding sunroofs (rail mount top slider):
They are a preferred factory option in Europe for several years. An outsized glass panel slides open in tracks on top of the roof, with no loss of headroom. Most feature an integral wind deflector to eliminate wind noise.
Panoramic roof systems:
It is a kind of huge or multi-panel moonroof that provides openings above both the front and rear seats and should be operable or fixed glass panels. Large operable openings are often accomplished with top-slider (tracks within the top of the roof) or spoiler type mechanisms.
Removable roof panels (t-tops or Targa roofs):
Open a vehicle roof to the side windows, providing a wider opening than other roof systems. The Targa body style is identical in configuration to the Sedanca but is intended for owner-driven instead of chauffeured cars and while a Sedanca style implies a rear passenger area, the Targa doesn’t. T-roofs have two removable panels and leave a T-shaped structural brace within the roof center. Targa roofs include only 1 (opaque or transparent) panel and leave no cross brace. Aftermarket kits aren’t any longer made, but several companies sell replacement and remanufactured panels, parts, and accessories.
Solar sunroofs:
They are made from glass, with an inlaid photovoltaic solar battery that produces the glass opaque. They operate identical to conventional factory-fitted glass moonroofs (tilting and retracting), but when closed the solar battery provides electricity to power the inside ventilation fans, for cooling the car interior on hot days when the car is standing outside within the sunlight.
Electric vs electronic Motorized power roof systems:
It is also operated by an easy push-and-hold switch or may include an electronic control module (ECM) to produce a single-touch express opening, express closing, and/or auto-closing on ignition off.
Moonroof:
It is a transparent, usually glass or plexiglass, sunroof that lets light in while closed. A hard and fast moonroof exclusively for rear-seat passengers was a prominent feature of the Aston Martin Lagonda from series 2, to 4 which was launched in 1976.

What are Roof Rails and its types?
Roof Rails:
Roof rails are a standard sight on modern vehicles like SUVs and mini-vans. Roof rails line the length of the vehicle’s roof. Their purpose is to supply an attachment point for crossbars and other devices designed to secure loads carried on the roof of the vehicle. Roof rails are attached to the vehicle’s roof by feet or other mounts. This is often one attribute that distinguishes roof rails from other attachment devices, like tracks, which are typically built directly into the roof of the vehicle.
Types of Roof Rails:
Roof rails are usually one amongst two types. The primary type resembles a protracted, inverted “C.” during this sort of roof rail, the feet of the roof rail is attached to the roof of the vehicle, and therefore the rail itself forms an arc. This sort of roof rail typically has several inches between the roof of the vehicle and therefore the rail. The second type is that the flush-mounted roof rail. There’s no space between the rail and also the roof of the vehicle during this type.
Purpose of Roof Rails:
Vehicles are equipped with roof rails to simplify the attachment of assorted types of roof racks and carrying systems. Roof rails don’t seem to be themselves a roof carrying system. Roof rails instead provide a stable mount to connect other load-carrying items, like crossbars or towers which will be accustomed to carry various loads.
Aftermarket Manufacturers:
Aftermarket roof rails are available from some manufacturers. These roof rails are available in a spread of lengths to suit various vehicles. Aftermarket roof rails must fit the vehicle that they’re intended. Some manufacturers offer a sizing guide to make sure of an honest fit. Some aftermarket manufacturers also offer roof rails designed to mimic the roof rails produced by the initial equipment manufacturer.
Alternatives:
Roof rails can not be installed on all vehicles that lack them, as some cars and trucks use alternative mounting systems like T-tracks or fixpoints. A T-track may be a channel or slot running the complete length of the roof. Fixpoints are mounting points located on the roof of the vehicle, often concealed by sliding flaps. Some roof racks don’t require any kind of the installed mounting point but are clamped on to the vehicle’s bodywork.

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