By just pressing a button, the sunroofs makes you feel the breeze of the outside world. This feature gives you a sense of freedom while driving.
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It’s a marvelous sensation which makes sunroofs grow in popularity. Today, more cars are coming with a sunroof and the trend won’t change any time soon, according to market experts.
Not only are sunroofs growing in numbers, but also in size, giving us a panoramic sense of joy and fun.
However, as you enjoy letting in fresh air and light to your driving, it may also be appropriate to start thinking of keeping your sunroof in good conditions.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to keeping your car’s sunroof in good condition.
Clean your car’s sunroof routinely
As any other feature, giving your sunroof a regular cleaning ensures a better functionality. Whenever you clean your car, try to spend time checking your sunroof by following these cleaning steps:
- Press the vent feature to open your sunroof and clean all the visible areas. For better results, use a vacuum as it makes cleaning much easier.
- Use a soft cloth, a toothbrush, and automotive cleaner to wipe down all moving parts including the gasket around the roof. Then, move on to the slides and tracks, and make sure you get rid of difficult dirt.
- Proceed to lubricate all moving parts with a heat-resistant grease, such as white lithium, but be advised that all you need to add is a small amount of it.
- Before you continue with the glass, try to use a cleaner that doesn’t contain ammonia or vinegar. Remember that these chemicals are detrimental for drivers if inhaled.
Schedule an annual detail
Your sunroof requires an annual detail to keep working properly. If you live in dusty areas or drive through dirty roads regularly, consider making it monthly.
You could start by giving a deep cleaning, as explained above, then blow the sunroof trough with low-pressure air through the drain tubes.
Complete the task by inserting a flexible, non-puncturing wire into a drain tube, twisting it all over while pushing it deeper into the tube.
In addition, check the length of your drain tubes and follow all the way to the far ends, which are located under the car, right next to the wheels, to remove dirt and some insects that use it for nesting.
After that, close the sunroof and use water to rinse the glass.
If you spot water coming inside the compartment, look for any cracks or opened edges along the seal, and spot any water pooling or mold near the seal.
If you still cannot identify the cause of the leak, consider visiting your local mechanic.
Check the moving parts operate smoothly
If you find the sunroof sticky or opens/closes slowly, try checking the moving parts for any hidden cracks, stripped gears, or some accumulated dirt that needs to be removed.
Start your car and test the sunroof to identify the area that is causing the problem.
If you notice that the moving parts are reacting more smoothly after a couple a of tests, then start cleaning everything and cautiously apply heat-resistant grease to any visible moving parts.
However, whether the problem persists, visit your local sunroof shop for more advice.
Pay attention to specific noises
Whenever you car start making weird sounds while on the road, it is better to act immediately and the same applies to car roofs.
If your sunroof starts scrapping noises, you may consider using more lubrication, fix the gear, or request additional mechanic assistance.
If you still can’t eliminate the noise, you are advised to take your car to a qualified repair shop.
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