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[atann]

Am I right in believing to get the full benefit of the sunroof fully open or on tilt, you should keep the windows closed? Does it keep the car cooler, than having the windows open instead?

[biggriffin]

Air con is better.

[Doctor Gollum]

Air con is better.

Especially in the winter.

[Kevin Wood]

Their only use, in my view, is to allow you to drive with unpleasant buffeting should you so desire.

The air conditioning probably has less impact on fuel consumption than opening windows / sunroof and makes for a much more pleasant environment in the car.

Having said that, I do like the wind in my hair while I'm driving - so my other car has no roof. A hole in the roof isn't a happy compromise.

[Bigron]

Yes, I rarely use mine - who wants a sunburned bald patch?
My first car, a 1038 Morris 12, has a proper sunroof (then called a "Sliding Head") which went almost the whole width of the car and a long way back - YOU would have approved, Kevin! 

Ron.

[tidla]

I like my sunroof. If its sunny open, raining its closed.

Next.

[tunnie]

Only time I use mine is to vent hot air from the car, all windows down and sun roof tilted up.

Drive at speed to vent all hot air and then close up for air-con 

Apart from that, bloody useless things....

[atann]

Only time I use mine is to vent hot air from the car, all windows down and sun roof tilted up.

Drive at speed to vent all hot air and then close up for air-con 

Apart from that, bloody useless things....

Adds weight to the car & can leak as well😋

[dave-b]

If you use it, use it regularly, or one day you'll find it wont shut fully, usually when its just started to rain.

[Viral_Jim]

Adds weight to the car & can leak as well😋

Not to mention that (like mine) they can develop a mind of their own due to faults in the switch. An hour's drive to work on a soaking wet seat one November morning was most unwelcome.

I had the choice of being freezing or putting the seat heater on and feeling like I'd wet myself - a prelude to omega ownership in my twilight years no doubt 

[tunnie]

The seals dry up and let a lot of wind noise in too, I shut the blind on mine as it's quite loud at lane 3 motorway speeds.

[Shackeng]

One of the advantages of my Mondeo is...No sunroof

[Kevin Wood]

One of the advantages of my Mondeo is...No sunroof

Also my MV6.

[Toledodude1973]

May as well have non opening windows as well

[Andy A]

Used to have one and very handy when I smoked  to let the smoke out. Don't need one now though. 

[Nick W]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

[atann]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

Was that on tilt, or fully open?

[atann]

Used to have one and very handy when I smoked  to let the smoke out. Don't need one now though. 

I do, I'll have to try that😀

[Nick W]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

Was that on tilt, or fully open?

Fully open. There is some extra wind noise, but it's no louder/worse than the CC fans would be.

[Toledodude1973]

You're right you can't beat proper fresh air

[atann]

You're right you can't beat proper fresh air

😀

[ronnyd]

Used to suffer the old phantom sunroof problems on my old PFL. Since i,ve had the Desmond i,ve only had it open once, and that was a complete accident. Aircon on auto all the while for me.

[zirk]

Pretty much use it all the time, mainly on Tilt, also Drivers Front and Rear window is normally open about an inch each, ubless Im on the Motorway, hardly ever use the AirCon.

[Doctor Gollum]

Does the aircon still work :-P

[atann]

Pretty much use it all the time, mainly on Tilt, also Drivers Front and Rear window is normally open about an inch each, ubless Im on the Motorway, hardly ever use the AirCon.

I'll have to try that😀

[zirk]

Does the aircon still work :-P

Yep, give the,AC a good blast once a month anyway just to keep things lubed up. 

[Doctor Gollum]

 

[TheBoy]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.

I agree, I would really miss a sunroof.  I wouldn't want it in place of A/C, but in addition to it.  I frequently drive, particularly at night, with sunroof open.


If its bloody hot, then that's A/C's job to cool the car.

[2boxerdogs]

The Forester has a sun roof wife loves it , wish the Merc had one got to admit I like them.

[zirk]

Does the aircon still work :-P

Yep, give the,AC a good blast once a month anyway just to keep things lubed up. 

Freeking sods law, packed up yesterday, was working fine in the morning, blows ambient hot now. 

[tunnie]

Does the aircon still work :-P

Yep, give the,AC a good blast once a month anyway just to keep things lubed up. 

Freeking sods law, packed up yesterday, was working fine in the morning, blows ambient hot now. 

Join the club 

[TheBoy]

All 3 of mine are lovely and cool .

Did I mention, though, it should be the law that all stupidly leather clad seats should have a cooling facility.  I actually find it make leather seats usable...

[Andy B]

.....
Did I mention, though, it should be the law that all stupidly leather clad seats should have a cooling facility.  ...

Man up   

[atann]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

Is that will the blind open or closed?

[Nick W]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

Is that will the blind open or closed?

you can't have the roof open and the blind closed!

[Sir Tigger KC]

Sunrooves are useful for letting all the hot air out when the car has been parked up for a while on a sunny day. 

[aaronjb]

.....
Did I mention, though, it should be the law that all stupidly leather clad seats should have a cooling facility.  ...

Man up   

TB doth protest too much.

I can't say the Elite leather, or any car after that, has given me the 'back sweats' on a hot day.

Now, the 1970s vinyl in my Austin Allegro .. that could make you sweat even if you were driving the thing in the middle of winter, I swear.


The Skoda has a 'panoramic sun roof' - basically the whole roof is glass - and I can't say I'd have specced it if it wasn't an ex-dealer car, especially not as a £1200 option! I almost never open it, or the windows for that matter.
Heck if you open the windows and hit 50mph the car bugs you with a message on the dash to close them for increased fuel efficiency..

[cam.in.head]

leather in mine. and vynil in my viva all give me back sweats .hot in summer ,freezing in winter thats why i was after some normal cloth sests for mine but nobody has any . as for sunroofs .total waste of time in my opinion.like was mentioned earlier you get wind buffeting if not tilted at speed ,and they are an invitation for rust especially on older cars such as carltons ,opel mantas etc.where the frame is welded up onto the roof skin.i suppose its all personal taste

[Doctor Gollum]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

Is that will the blind open or closed?

you can't have the roof open and the blind closed!

Ahem...

You can have the roof raised with the blind closed

[Nick W]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

Is that will the blind open or closed?

you can't have the roof open and the blind closed!

Ahem...

You can have the roof raised with the blind closed

I would have written that as 'tilted' not open, but I do see your point

[Doctor Gollum]

That's the word

[tidla]

Sunroofs are good in the sunshine.

Not so good when there still open and it pishes down

[TheBoy]

Sunroofs are good in the sunshine.

Not so good when there still open and it pishes down

Or if your retarded supplying dealer, on its first ever service, puts your £75k BMW through an automated carwash with the sunroof open.

Oh how I laughed, but bro was very, very cross.

[BazaJT]

I'd not have been happy with them bunging it through an automated car wash sunroof open or not!!!

[atann]

I use the sunroof all year round, and it's one of the extra features of an Elite I wouldn't do without. Tonight was a good example; with the outside temperature at 20(which is what I have the CC set to) there was a nice supply of fresh air as I wafted along the M2 at 75mph.


I like the climate control too, but it's more useful on cold damp days or when the temperature is above 25.

Is that will the blind open or closed?

you can't have the roof open and the blind closed!

Ahem...

You can have the roof raised with the blind closed

I would have written that as 'tilted' not open, but I do see your point

Sorry Nick, that's what I meant tilited. Do you keep the blind closed on tilited?

[Stige]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

[TheBoy]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

My A/C is very good, particularly in the XJ, but I still frequently have the sunroof either tilted or open

[Nick W]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

Actually, they complement each other.

[Stige]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

Actually, they complement each other.

How? All it does is vent out your cool air so its hotter again and ac has to run full blast.

[Doctor Gollum]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

Actually, they complement each other.

How? All it does is vent out your cool air so its hotter again and ac has to run full blast.

Cold air sinks...

[Stige]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

Actually, they complement each other.

How? All it does is vent out your cool air so its hotter again and ac has to run full blast.

Cold air sinks...

Yes it does but I doubt it will do much compared to how much air is going out through the sunroof. But I will definitely try this when I'm home, out of pure curiosity as I never thought of it but I really doubt there is any benefit to using sunroof with AC on.

[Nick W]

Cold air sinks...

Yes it does but I doubt it will do much compared to how much air is going out through the sunroof. But I will definitely try this when I'm home, out of pure curiosity as I never thought of it but I really doubt there is any benefit to using sunroof with AC on.

Who said or implied there was?
I don't feel any need for A/C when the temperature is below 20C as that's what I set it to.

[TheBoy]

Personally, my AC is ALWAYS on.  Climate systems are designed assuming the AC is always on.

The sunroof is often on tilt, as it helps suck cabin air out as soon as you get above 30mph, which significantly aids the Omegas air flow, but I find benefits all cars.  Obviously above 60-70mph, it can cause significant wind noise.

Frequently, if its dry, I have the roof fully open, as the air seems somehow "fresher".  Even though it usually means the climate has to work harder to heat/cool cabin.  I do this particularly on those cold, crisp dry winter nights, as I find I get better comfort/relaxed, but no idea why.

[Stige]

Cold air sinks...

Yes it does but I doubt it will do much compared to how much air is going out through the sunroof. But I will definitely try this when I'm home, out of pure curiosity as I never thought of it but I really doubt there is any benefit to using sunroof with AC on.

Who said or implied there was?
I don't feel any need for A/C when the temperature is below 20C as that's what I set it to.

Zero logic right there, somehow you are implying that the car stays at sub-20C on the inside of it is sub-20C on the outside, total 'dangle berries'.
Also AC has way more use than just cooling it down, 80% humidity or something like that at 20C outside is awful, and that is where the AC really helps.

[TheBoy]

Also AC has way more use than just cooling it down, 80% humidity or something like that at 20C outside is awful, and that is where the AC really helps.

And allowing better circulation helps make the air feel less, err, well, "conditioned"


I disagree with Nick W about only having A/C on when its hot (I always have it on, even if an element of heating is required). But agree a sunroof can add to the comfort (in addition to AC)

[JDX]

Give me a sunroof over a/c on a sunny day every time 

[omega2018]

Personally, my AC is ALWAYS on.  Climate systems are designed assuming the AC is always on.

from the omega manual page 126

"When no cooling or drying is required press the ECO button to save fuel – see page 130."

page 130:

"Operation without cooling Press ECO button. ECO appears on the display.
Switch on to save fuel. In this mode cooling (the cooling compressor) is switched off."

[omega2018]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

Actually, they complement each other.

How? All it does is vent out your cool air so its hotter again and ac has to run full blast.

here's what the manual says:

"The electronic air conditioning system
functions most efficiently when the
windows and sun roof are closed . If the
passenger compartment has heated up
considerably after a long period in direct
sunlight, briefly open the windows and sun
roof so that the heated air can quickly
escape."

[Stige]

Working AC really makes the sunroof pointless.

Actually, they complement each other.

How? All it does is vent out your cool air so its hotter again and ac has to run full blast.

here's what the manual says:

"The electronic air conditioning system
functions most efficiently when the
windows and sun roof are closed . If the
passenger compartment has heated up
considerably after a long period in direct
sunlight, briefly open the windows and sun
roof so that the heated air can quickly
escape."

Thank you.

[TheBoy]

Its definitely possible to run without the A/C compressor on, but:

1) its less comfortable as the system can only use fans to (attempt to) cool, so ends up with a lot of noise and hot air. Much like some members

2) it has no drying ability on damper days

3) It isn't actually the recommended (or default) setting.  But the option is there for tree huggers who drive big cars.

4) As we all know, A/C is use or lose. As a minimum, it much be run for at least 20mins every 30 days.



The sunroof/windows is personal preference.  And in the case of the Omega, a tilted sunroof massively helps with airflow.  As I've said in previous threads and this one, I like (in any car) sunroof tilted or open, but windows shut (too noisy for me).  But that's a personal thing, letting a little bit of the outside in.

[atann]

Its definitely possible to run without the A/C compressor on, but:

1) its less comfortable as the system can only use fans to (attempt to) cool, so ends up with a lot of noise and hot air. Much like some members

2) it has no drying ability on damper days

3) It isn't actually the recommended (or default) setting.  But the option is there for tree huggers who drive big cars.

Loving point 1😋
4) As we all know, A/C is use or lose. As a minimum, it much be run for at least 20mins every 30 days.



The sunroof/windows is personal preference.  And in the case of the Omega, a tilted sunroof massively helps with airflow.  As I've said in previous threads and this one, I like (in any car) sunroof tilted or open, but windows shut (too noisy for me).  But that's a personal thing, letting a little bit of the outside in.

[TheBoy]

Definitely had to have the sunroof and windows open on the battlebus this afternoon...   ...the air coming out the vents was cool (but not as cold as it should be), but just not enough of it.

Might have to arrange a trip to that nice Mr Serek chap to get the A/C sorted, as guessing is lost a lot of its gas, as it was fine this morning when the temp was only 20C

[atann]

Had it regassed today. Only 260 recovered, added 1150. Ice cold now. They added a dye, so will keep an eye on it. Currently running low temp, air recycle auto, is that the coolest setting?

[TheBoy]

Had it regassed today. Only 260 recovered, added 1150. Ice cold now. They added a dye, so will keep an eye on it. Currently running low temp, air recycle auto, is that the coolest setting?

In an Omega?

They have ficked up badly.  Thats 20% too much.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Had it regassed today. Only 260 recovered, added 1150. Ice cold now. They added a dye, so will keep an eye on it. Currently running low temp, air recycle auto, is that the coolest setting?

In an Omega?

They have ficked up badly.  Thats 20% too much.

Not to worry, it won't take long to leak out! 

[atann]

Had it regassed today. Only 260 recovered, added 1150. Ice cold now. They added a dye, so will keep an eye on it. Currently running low temp, air recycle auto, is that the coolest setting?

In an Omega?

They have ficked up badly.  Thats 20% too much.

I hope not, in this heat😀

Not to worry, it won't take long to leak out! 

[YZ250]

I thought the sunroof was for poking long bits of timber through when the passenger seat is in use. I didn't realise it had other uses as well.