How a Car Moonroof Works

Here's a look inside a car's sunroof mechanism and how it works!
The sunroof provides upward visibility and light to enter the vehicle's cabin. It has many modes- tilt, open and panoramic modes.
In this video we take apart the sunroof assembly from a Subaru Outback to see how its mechanism works.
There are three major components - the track frame, the motor, and the tilting mechanisms. The front tilt uses 4 bar linkages with slider joints to first position the front glass up and angled to the body.
The rear glass panel must then be tilted downward, underneath the vehicle's body to retract unto the roof skin. This also uses a 4 bar linkage that collapses when the glass is retracted back.
The sunroof motor is a brushed DC electric motor that powers a worm gear. The worm gear powers a compliance gear which moves the sunroof cables. The cables run the length and will push and pull on the tilting assemblies to move the glass back or forth.
Here's another look at how another style of sunroof works:
• How a Sunroof Works
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[@YanDoroshenko]

I love my sunroof. It's good to be able to open it to get some air in, but the most important thing to me is that it equalizes the ambient light level inside and outside the car. Saves me a lot of eye strain on long drives.

[@speedkar99]

I agree. Non sunroof cars feel dark inside

[@xlefty]

As a Subie fanboy, the BP generation of wagons had a nice style, the moonroof deflector and giant panoramic moonroof was one of the reasons I love it so much, looks so cool from inside. Don't forget your sunscreen and to subscribe! Indoor videos are great. Audio 10/10

[@speedkar99]

Thanks! Yeah the wagon is sure stylish.

[@johnw3379]

Great video! I learned alot,and also reinforces why none of cars have sun/ moon roofs. They are complex and expensive when they break.

[@speedkar99]

They're becoming very standard these days. It feels dark without oke

[@saeedkizzy]

indoor or outdoor both good thanks man😊

[@speedkar99]

Thanks!

[@ssrattus]

Indoor video quality is great!

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@justanatom4072]

I like my sunroof because I can watch the birds while I'm driving

[@speedkar99]

Same here!

[@michaelbezoski3096]

Hey, I resemble that remark...👴. Ha, what a great & unexpected video & as always, well explained. Amazing engineering and sequencing all moving parts for function & safety. Thank you & much appreciated!

[@speedkar99]

You are welcome.

[@JoeUrbanYYC]

I find sunroofs too hot in the summer but driving on a sunny winter day with the tunes and heat cranked up and the top open = 😚👌

[@speedkar99]

I agree, I do the same. Winter + sunroof open

[@landshass2849]

Indoor or outdoor videos, they all work for me.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@maweitao]

Indoor quality is just as good as outdoor so I'm happy either way.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@BitterCynical]

Moonroofs are pretty cool but did you know every vintage rust belt car has a built in moonpool? Just look under the carpet!

[@speedkar99]

Moonpool 🤣

[@marclours]

Awesome.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks!

[@bensonporter1384]

My sunroof on my suzuki grand vitara not working, the motor not working and white plastic cable is grind up .. i cant find parts no way

[@speedkar99]

Check LKQ if you are in north America

[@mscir]

What's the best way to lube the whole thing while it's mounted in the car? Is it possible?

[@speedkar99]

Spray the tracks with silicone lube.

[@stevenmiller2837]

Cool! Now can you put it back together?

[@speedkar99]

With my grinder, sure

[@rturner4205]

I'm wondering if I can rig up a 2nd gen Foresters sunroof mechanism to my 1st gen, Since the mechanism in mine has collapsed in one corner and I couldn't force the rail to close the roof completely.

[@speedkar99]

It's probably different.

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

Notification Squad!🔥🔥🔥

[@speedkar99]

Thank you

[@titanicsauce2152]

The quality was good, like your videos. How'd you know I am bald?

[@speedkar99]

😂 they say bald people are rich. True?

[@titanicsauce2152]

@@speedkar99 Yes, usually but not in my case:(

[@Visionery1]

Years ago my late father had a perspex sunroof fitted to his 1964 Austin Westminster, it was a big mistake, the amount of heat radiating into the car became unbearable. How does the moonroof fare?

[@speedkar99]

It's the same thing. Lots of heat unless you close the shade. I like the extra light though

[@digitaldemetri2404]

Personally, I think sunroofs/moon roofs should have less components. Older roof hatchets did not have all those motors. They leak or people forget to close them, I think they should be more or an emergency exit when needed, all that glass. Or even inflatable air buoys with strobes in case the car goes in water or tumbles. Just a thought not sure how the buoys would deploy although I think it could save some time in a emergency. I never open my moon roof on my Scion TC too much turbulence. That glass up there is less reinforcement. Feel free to debit ideas are welcomed...thanks Kar for showing this.

[@speedkar99]

You are welcome. I used to hate sunroofs for their complexity. But on a nice cool evening or morning commute they sure do open up the interior nicely

[@digitaldemetri2404]

@@speedkar99 True that...I would use it at night sometimes

[@billynomates920]

moonroof mechanism looks like something you might find in something that also incorporates modded cv axles

[@speedkar99]

What do you mean?

[@billynomates920]

@@speedkar99 i was watching some 'usa' stuff before your notification popped up. the moonroof mechanisms looked a little bit like pewpew insides but i didn't want to trigger anyone 👮‍♂in uk or canada👨‍⚖😄

[@hirolla1635]

Can you put it back together

[@speedkar99]

Yeah sure.

[@greathey1234]

It leaked in my e90 BMW because the channel was blocked with dirt when I was abroad. My car was full of water there's two inches of water a month later

[@speedkar99]

There must have been an ecosystem growing in there

[@sergeyafanasev7505]

Now I know how to cook lasagna! By the way, all sun roofs are leaking?

[@YanDoroshenko]

Mine seems not to. Audi A4 2008.

[@speedkar99]

Glad you follow my wife's channel then 😂

[@sergeyafanasev7505]

@@speedkar99 Done!

[@SilentServiceCode]

By harbour freight you mean princess auto

[@speedkar99]

That particular set was actually from harbor frieght when we drove down to US last year

[@demal1010]

Would you rather have an electrochromic roof or sun/moonroof? Electrochromic has less moving parts definitely lol

[@speedkar99]

Moonroof. I like to feel the breeze.

[@olafzijnbuis]

OMG... another circuit board and a DC motor with brushes. I prefer a manual handle to open the sunroof. You get immediate feedback about the state of the mechanism. Turns too heavy: get out a rag and some grease.

[@speedkar99]

That's old school

[@atticstattic]

I used my brother's coat as a tarp to cover the hole...

[@speedkar99]

Haha I used cardboard

[@atticstattic]

@@speedkar99 Something has changed in your relationship with your brother.

[@ladalout245]

I didn't know my car has a moonroof and not a sunroof! God help anyone that would be tasked with mending a malfunction. My Mazda 3 moonroof seems to have been engineered to quickly extract fart smells without causing undue turbulence, my wife's favourite car feature.

[@speedkar99]

Haha!

[@chuckh.2227]

Those brushes probably are replaceable they're just not sold separately you would have to buy a $300 motor instead of $10 brushes Video quality is ok

[@speedkar99]

Agreed! Nothing is fixable. Replace everything

[@wills5482]

Oh boy those things sucks if you live in a hot place, just another place for the sun to roast you

[@speedkar99]

Yeah you have to remember to close the shade

[@leecowell8165]

I wouldn't have one. They leak.

[@speedkar99]

I haven't had one leak yet.

[@RaduB.]

I have nothing against the indoor videos but I am totally against a sunroof. Just a source of potential sorrows...

[@speedkar99]

I've had sunroof vehicles and haven't had issues. Besides the time my wife opened the sunroof in the winter and it was iced up and it broke something..

[@808_mafia_]

Not explaining like in other of your videos

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

I wish you could get nicer cars without sunroofs. Probably the most pointless feature there is.

[@BoltsNBalls]

Speak for yourself. This is the best thing since sliced bread

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@BoltsNBalls I don't get it. (I also don't have enough headroom.)

[@savereport8788]

Skip the sunroof buy bigger engine is what i say.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@savereport8788 NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT

[@ladalout245]

I love my sunroof and my wife uses it a lot when I fart in the car as it doesn't cause a smell mixing vortex.

[@nickayivor8432]

Speedkar99 My mentor 👍 SHREWD, Speedkar99 From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧 ⏰️ 23:52PM Good Evening

[@808_mafia_]

Not explaining like in other of your videos

[@speedkar99]

What did I miss?