[jyc093]

It is known that by holding the unlock key with comfort access enabled keyfob all windows and sunroof will open. What I'm wondering is, if the sunshade is not open, will the sunroof opening mechanism get damaged?

[jeffc83]

No, the sunroof will pull the shade with the glass and will not cause any damage.

[jnecr]

Same as when you open the sunroof while in the car. There's no need to pull the shade, it will just pull back with the sunroof glass.

[jyc093]

Thanks for clearing it up for me! I was concern about it since the shade seems to be quite sturdy, and I thought it could potentially damage the mechanism by increasing the workload.

[Billfitz]

BTW, it's not a good idea to have the sunshade closed when the car is parked. There can be a lot of heat build up in the space between the shade and the glass, which can cause the glass to shatter.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

BTW, it's not a good idea to have the sunshade closed when the car is parked. There can be a lot of heat build up in the space between the shade and the glass, which can cause the glass to shatter.

That seems like a myth to me. I leave my sunshade closed all the time and haven't had my glass shatter, it keeps the interior cooler and my fake leather in better condition. I own another vehicle (non BMW) which also has a glass moonroof and I keep the shade closed and it is parked outside all day in socal heat with no problems. You would need glass furnace temps to shatter the glass.

[paul e]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

That seems like a myth to me. I leave my sunshade closed all the time and haven't had my glass shatter, it keeps the interior cooler and my fake leather in better condition. I own another vehicle (non BMW) which also has a glass moonroof and I keep the shade closed and it is parked outside all day in socal heat with no problems. You would need glass furnace temps to shatter the glass.

Ditto, and I live in (hot as can be) South Carolina. Sunshade just about always closed, no issues.

[xlover]

isnt the whole point of the sunshade to to prevent the light from heating the interior and passengers on a hot day......

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by paul e

Ditto, and I live in (hot as can be) South Carolina. Sunshade just about always closed, no issues.

Agree but in a hot climate (like Arizona where I live) if I am outside I open it up a crack while parked to let the hot air escape.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

That seems like a myth to me. I leave my sunshade closed all the time and haven't had my glass shatter.

I've seen numerous reports of shattered glass, and it usually happened with the sunshade closed. It's not unique to hot weather either. In cold weather the glass will have different expansion rates on the hot and cold sides, which can contribute to shattering. Google 'bmw sunroof shattered' and you'll get thousands of hits, more than a few of them from here.

[cmplaya]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I've seen numerous reports of shattered glass, and it usually happened with the sunshade closed. It's not unique to hot weather either. In cold weather the glass will have different expansion rates on the hot and cold sides, which can contribute to shattering. Google 'bmw sunroof shattered' and you'll get thousands of hits, more than a few of them from here.

true.. although the only time i ever actually want to use it is in extreme hot or cold temperatures....

[Billfitz]

Mine is very seldom shut, only when the sun's in my eyes. I'm so used to it being open that I get claustrophobic when it's closed.

[jnecr]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I've seen numerous reports of shattered glass, and it usually happened with the sunshade closed. It's not unique to hot weather either. In cold weather the glass will have different expansion rates on the hot and cold sides, which can contribute to shattering. Google 'bmw sunroof shattered' and you'll get thousands of hits, more than a few of them from here.

The shade has vents in it, so I doubt this really has much to do with the shade at all. If anything it's because the sunroof is heavily tinted and therefore absorbs most of the light's energy that is hitting it, thus making it very hot. I'd wager that the glass gets much hotter than the bit of air between shade and the glass...

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Mine is very seldom shut, only when the sun's in my eyes. I'm so used to it being open that I get claustrophobic when it's closed.

Sounds like a personal issue to me (kidding)

[1QuikWS6]

Left the sunshade closed on my E92 for 8 yrs, and 1+ yrs in the F32 thru both heat and cold, never had a problem. Not to say it couldn't happen, but as mentioned there are vents in the shade

[Wires]

No issues pulling it closed either. Saves the interior from becoming stupid hot. FYI, all factory tinted glass has no UV protection, so pulling the shade in the sun is good for the interior.

[jyc093]

Originally Posted by jnecr

The shade has vents in it, so I doubt this really has much to do with the shade at all. If anything it's because the sunroof is heavily tinted and therefore absorbs most of the light's energy that is hitting it, thus making it very hot. I'd wager that the glass gets much hotter than the bit of air between shade and the glass...

This actually makes alot of sense, no wonder most tinting companies avoid tinting the sunroof.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

BTW, it's not a good idea to have the sunshade closed when the car is parked. There can be a lot of heat build up in the space between the shade and the glass, which can cause the glass to shatter.

Originally Posted by bimmer456

That seems like a myth to me. I leave my sunshade closed all the time and haven't had my glass shatter, it keeps the interior cooler and my fake leather in better condition. I own another vehicle (non BMW) which also has a glass moonroof and I keep the shade closed and it is parked outside all day in socal heat with no problems. You would need glass furnace temps to shatter the glass.

I thought this sounded like a conspiracy theory to, but this is a thing:

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...nger-overhead/

[kern417]

it's not a myth, but the root cause of heat build up is. you can't really analyze that sort of failure from your office chair. besides, heat could cause glass to crack but not explode like that. that sort of failure implies extremely high pressure shock or faulty glass manufacturing.

and sunroofs come tinted from the factory. more so than passenger window glass.

[otay]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I thought this sounded like a conspiracy theory to, but this is a thing:

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...nger-overhead/

The CR article is well researched, but I wish they (and others) would stop saying "exploded"...that refers to rapid combustion or excessive internal pressure which is not the case. Media likes to use this word because it's more scary and grabs your attention. "Shattered" is more appropriate.

It would be good to know if BMW uses laminated sunroof glass in any models, but I'm not gonna change my behavior because of this. I like my sunroof.

Also, keeping your sunroof shade open when parked in the sun is...well... dumb. Overall interior temperature would be higher than if it was closed. This is why people (like me) put sunscreens in their windshield.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by otay

Also, keeping your sunroof shade open when parked in the sun is...well... dumb. Overall interior temperature would be higher than if it was closed.

Not if you open the sunroof to the vent position, which I always do unless there's rain in the forecast.

[kern417]

i used to do that until one day i came outside and leaves were all over the top of the shade. it's easier to just open the windows with the fob as you're walking up to the car. plus less risk to those of us that live in an area where a sunny weather forecast means it change to 100% chance of rain within an hour

i'm not saying it's bad to do it necessarily, but it's not saving you from any failures like what was mentioned.