What is the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof?
When it comes to vehicle features, sunroofs and moonroofs are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. While both provide an opening in the roof of a car, there are distinct differences between the two that are important to understand.
What is a Sunroof?
A sunroof is a glass or metal panel installed in the roof of a vehicle that can be opened or closed to allow natural light and fresh air into the cabin. Sunroofs are typically larger in size and can be tilted or slid open to provide maximum airflow and visibility. They are designed to let in direct sunlight, making them ideal for daytime use. Sunroofs are a popular feature in many modern cars, SUVs, and minivans.p>
What is a Moonroof?
A moonroof is a type of sunroof that is specifically designed to let in indirect, soft light from the moon or night sky. Moonroofs are typically smaller in size and have a tinted or opaque glass panel that filters the light, creating a more subtle, ambient glow inside the vehicle. Unlike sunroofs, moonroofs are primarily intended for nighttime use, providing a more relaxing and atmospheric driving experience.
Key Differences
- Size: Sunroofs are generally larger than moonroofs, allowing for more open-air driving and visibility.
- Light Transmission: Sunroofs let in direct sunlight, while moonroofs have a tinted or opaque glass panel that filters the light, creating a softer, more ambient glow.
- Purpose: Sunroofs are designed for daytime use, while moonroofs are better suited for nighttime driving and creating a more relaxing atmosphere.
- Functionality: Sunroofs can typically be tilted or slid open, while moonroofs are often limited to a tilt-and-slide mechanism.
In summary, while sunroofs and moonroofs both provide an opening in the roof of a vehicle, they serve different purposes and offer distinct features. Understanding the differences between these two options can help you make an informed decision when choosing the right roof feature for your vehicle.
Are sunroof and moonroof the same?
Yes, there is a difference between a sunroof and a moonroof, though the terms are often used interchangeably today. Historically, a sunroof was an opaque panel that could be manually tilted or removed, while a moonroof was a transparent glass panel that could slide open. Modern vehicles often feature glass panels that slide or tilt, blurring the lines between the two, but a moonroof is generally understood as a glass panel while a sunroof could be opaque.
Sunroof
- Traditionally an opaque, metal panel that matched the car's body.
- Can be tilted to vent or removed completely for ventilation.
- The term is now used for any panel that opens, regardless of material.
Moonroof
- A transparent, tinted glass panel.
- Slides open, often with a built-in interior sunshade to block light when closed.
- It is a type of sunroof, but specifically one that is made of glass.
- Cannot typically be removed from the vehicle.
Key takeaway
- While the original distinction was based on material (opaque vs. glass), the modern usage often depends on a specific car's features.
- A modern "moonroof" will have glass, but the term "sunroof" can be used more broadly for any opening roof panel, whether glass or opaque.
- If you want to see the sky, you want a moonroof. If you want to feel the sun while driving, many modern sunroofs (which are often glass) also work well.
Why is it called a moonroof?
It's called a moonroof because the term was created by Ford in 1973 to describe a new type of roof panel that was made of tinted, silver-tinted glass, unlike the original metal sunroofs. The ad copy suggested that when closed, you could see the moon through the glass, which gave it its name.
- Origin: Ford coined the term for an optional roof conversion on the 1973 Lincoln Mark IV.
- Original definition: The new feature replaced the opaque metal panel of a traditional sunroof with a permanent, sliding, silver-tinted glass panel that had a retractable interior sunshade.
- Marketing: The name was meant to highlight the difference: a "sunroof" was an opaque panel that opened for air and light, while a "moonroof" was a glass one that allowed you to see the sky, or "moon," even when closed.
- Modern usage: Today, most modern "sunroofs" are actually moonroofs made of glass, and the terms are often used interchangeably, though some manufacturers still use "moonroof" for glass panels and "sunroof" for opaque, pop-up panels.
When did a sunroof become a moonroof?
1973
In 1937, Nash Motors introduced the first sunroof — a metal panel that slid open or could be removed for fresh air and light. The 1973 model year brought along the moonroof, first seen in the Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Unlike a metal sunroof, a moonroof had tinted glass with a retractable cover.
Do moonroofs open all the way?
Yes, many moonroofs can open all the way, but it depends on the vehicle and type of moonroof. Some can slide open fully, while others only tilt open, and in the case of panoramic roofs, only a portion of the glass panel may open.
Types of moonroofs and how they open:
- Traditional moonroof: These typically have a single glass panel that slides open fully and can also be tilted up for ventilation.
- Panoramic moonroof: These feature a large glass panel that stretches across most of the roof. Often, only the front portion of the panel slides open, and it may not open as far as a traditional moonroof.
- Operating the moonroof:
- To open it fully, you may need to press the "open" button a second time after it opens partially, or hold the button down.
- To open it partially, press and release the "open" button at the desired stop point.
- Some systems:
- Some models have a "vent" function that only tilts the roof up for airflow.
- Some systems might open only to a specific point (like 80%) with a single press of the button, requiring a second press to open the rest of the way.
