BMW of Grand Blanc

Dec 15, 2021

Oil should be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles by responsible car owners. They rotate the tires on a regular basis and replace the cabin filter on occasion. They do this because they recognize that regular maintenance will extend the life of the vehicle.

Why should your sunroof be treated any differently?

Sunroofs may appear to be nothing more than another window, but they are actually quite complicated processes. There’s always the possibility of anything going wrong when you have moving parts like motors and gears. When it comes to automobile maintenance, sunroof maintenance isn’t necessarily at the top of everyone’s mind, but if you have one, you’d be wise to keep it in good shape.

Make sure you don’t blow a gasket.

Rubber gaskets run around the perimeter of most sunroofs to keep them sealed tight. The sun and the environment can cause the gaskets to crack or break over time, which could be the source of your leak. Fortunately, the majority of gaskets are affordable and simple to replace.

A bad alignment is another reason your sunroof may have sprung a leak. Water can readily get through the seams if the panel isn’t level with the car’s roof. Because not every make and model is the same, this can be a little more difficult, but if your alignment is off, you may need to loosen the panel and reposition it.

Sunroof drains must be cleared.

The wonderful people who developed your car undoubtedly did their best to ensure that no moisture made its way inside. That’s why all sunroofs have roof drains built in to ensure that any rainwater goes out properly.

The only issue is that those drains are prone to clogging. Leaves, pine needles, and other debris can easily clog the drains, but they’re quite simple to clear. You can even clear them out with a wire or, better yet, a can of compressed air to eliminate any excess gunk that has accumulated over time.

Grease all moving parts.

Have you ever heard the phrase “functions like a well-oiled machine”? So, what’s this? That’s because well-oiled machinery perform better than those that aren’t. It’s not a difficult task.

Rails, gears, motors, and other moving parts in your sunroof can dry out in the sun, putting additional strain on the systems that keep them running. They’re easy to clean with a soft cloth and re-lubricate with lithium grease spray in most circumstances. It won’t take long, and it won’t break the wallet, but lubricating your sunroof on a regular basis could significantly improve its long-term health.

To be honest, once a year routine maintenance of your sunroof may be sufficient to keep it in good working order. Because if you don’t take the time to give it some TLC now and then, you might come to regret it later.