Is it okay to leave the sunroof open even if it rains a little?
 

Hey all:

I normally leave the sunroofs of my cars open just a little bit all the time when they're parked to let hot air out. I leave them open even if it rains, provided the cars are parked on level ground or facing uphill.

Is this okay to do? I wonder if moisture or anything gets stuck inside the guide rails and may rust or something.

Thanks!

Not ok.

Would you leave your windows cranked down a little? Nope.

If you leave it open a crack, rain won't get in. It's because of the way the sunroof works - the water drains into channels on the side which then drain out from the bottom of the car.

the guide rails might get a little dry...and maybe some water might stain your headliner...I would personally not do it...you are sliding it open a little, or tilting it a little? I would think tilting it would be a little safer...

I would rather have a hot car then do that.

I should have mentioned that I don't slide it open, it's tilted open from the back. I've noticed that as long as it's not a hard rain, nothing gets in.

Rethinking leaving them open, though. Thanks for the info!

Stefano,

I always leave my sunroof vented like this too! I have forgotten a few times in NC and a rain storm came up in the middle of the night and not a drop got inside..... It should be fine. :)

Yes, you're OK doing that. There is a tray on the rear of the sunroof hole to catch water. There actually are channels all the way around which lead to the drain tubes, which are there because MB realizes they'll never get the weatherstrip around the roof panel to keep all the water out. But on the rear, it's a plastic tray, it's kind of hard to see because if you slide the roof back, the tray goes back with it. The rear tray will catch any water and direct it to the side channels, where the tubes connect that carries the water to the bottom of the car and on to the ground. There could be a chance that if you get heavy rain, coming in at an angle from the back of the car, that it may get directed into the interior, so if there were thunderstorms in the forcast, I'd leave it closed. But a normal rain shower/rainy day shouldn't be a problem.

Gilly

sometimes when you drive w/ it tilted, a little gets in unless its pooring..then a lot more gets in..

I guess something with wind etc. and amount of water dropping.. and angle its dropping in at..heeh

I drive in the rain with mine open all the time. I mean, all the way open. Depending on how hard it's raining, my speed, and the angle of the wind, usually no rain makes it in.

I only shut it when I feel rain on my head......... or when passengers in the back seat begin to yell at me! :D