What's the difference between a sun roof and a moon roof? I've been trying to figure it out, and the question came up between me and a friend today.

Not sure. I think that the sunroof can slide open and the moonroof is fixed.

I *THINK* the difference is:

Sunroof --> roof slides, and can be glass or not
Moonroof --> roof doesn't slide, but pops up?

BUT, I wouldn't take my word for it...

FLO_BOY

I always thought a sunroof was solid and a moonroof was glass.

ditto...that's what i think

Yeah, I originally typed that, and then re-thought it (no, seriously!!!).

Like I said though, I was guessing.

FLO_BOY

its a little bit of both - a sunroof slides back.......while a moonroof is made of glass and can pop up(a moonroof can also slide back as well)

I didn't know there was a difference. I always thought people just changed it around like rims or wheels (even though wheels could be a few things this is best I could do so work with me here). I just looked on the net and a sun roof you can open and a moon roof you can't. So there you have it, I finally helped someone.
Paul

oh,interesting, i always thought it was just another name for it. but i dont know.....its weird how no one knows for sure tho, heh.

i'm pretty sure the sunroof is almost always transparent, the original idea was for the sunroof to tilt up and then move back... (Grand Prix i'm sure have these) it kinda acts like a roof spoiler.. the problem with these are they are likely to leak... where as a moonroof doesn't need to be transparent, they will go straight back like the maxima's do.. last longer without leaks..

"What is the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof?

Sunroof is the generic term used to describe an operable panel in a vehicle roof which can let in light and/or air. Moonroof is a term created by Ford in the 70's, yet is now used generically to describe glass panel inbuilt electric sunroofs. "


so basically, a "sunroof" is a panel that can be removed to let air and light in. a "moonroof" is just a see-through sunroof. these days pretty much all cars come with a moonroof specifically. opaque sunroofs dont exist anymore for the most part. a moonroof is a sunroof but a sunroof isnt necessarily a moon roof. make sense?

http://www.sunroof.net/faq.htm#SR%20vs.%20Moonroof

Wow... That put an end to the question, I guess. Thanks

sunroof.net!!! - oh man - i wonder if there is such a thing as trunks.com

BMW e36 3 series still used the opaque sunroofs. Peronally I couldnt stand it this way.

Actually, the common use of the term "rim" in incorrect. The rim is merely part of the wheel.

I think moonroof is tinted while sunroof is not. My window sticker says I have a moonroof. The only differences are a slight tint and a one-touch feature in all directions.

I believe its just a marketing term...
Before I got the Max I had a first gen Honda Prelude (1980). It had a tinted glass sunroof as standard fare. It only slid back into the headliner, no tilt option. The sales ads at that time extolled the virtues of having the roof open and letting in the moonlight while you and your honey get cozy for some romantic atmosphere!

Everyone stop posting, the question is answered, thanks Newman (Ben, you were right too).

To recap:
sunroof: a panel that opens/pops out of the roof.
moonroof: a glass sunroof.

It has nothing to do with tint or the way it opens or the number of buttons you have to push or the number of Yen to the Dollar.

take it sleazy.