[New2018rav4owner]

Hi all,
I just purchased my new 2021 RAV4 Limited which come standard with sunroof. This will be my first car with sunroof and I read stories about leaking when doing car touch-free car wash.

Is anyway to prevent sunroof from leaking? I am thinking to not open at all since we all the time use A/C. What do you think?

Thank you.

 

[Melwig]

Sun roofs typically will leak because the drain tubes become clogged with debris. This may occur if you frequently park under trees. The drain tubes can be cleared by blowing them with compressed air. I have had vehicles with sunroofs for 30 years. I have yet to have one leak or have the drain tubes clog. Enjoy your sunroof, and don’t be afraid to use it.

 

[New2018rav4owner]

Sun roofs typically will leak because the drain tubes become clogged with debris. This may occur if you frequently park under trees. The drain tubes can be cleared by blowing them with compressed air. I have had vehicles with sunroofs for 30 years. I have yet to have one leak or have the drain tubes clog. Enjoy your sunroof, and don’t be afraid to use it.

Thank you for the reply and the advice, I appreciate. I will will my sunroof and be prepared for leaking given I park under the trees. I will pay more attention and clean it frequently to prevent the tubes not get blocked.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

I've had the same experience as Melwig except I got drenched a few times when it wasn't raining until I found the clogged drains that had stored water in the trough underneath the perimeter of the roof from a previous rain. It spilled out and down my back when the car moved! When it happened to my wife I HAD to figure it out.

Turned out I was parking under trees with the roof closed but then opening it before driving off. That was literally dumping the tree debris into the trough and thus clogging the drains. The solution: If there's any chance of debris on the roof drive away and let it blow off before opening it. Works perfect with no other special cleaning needed.

Many owners are under the mistaken impression that the roof is supposed to seal perfectly when closed. Not true. The drain system remedies the non-perfect seal.

 

[kentkentlee]

Hi all,
I just purchased my new 2021 RAV4 Limited which come standard with sunroof. This will be my first car with sunroof and I read stories about leaking when doing car touch-free car wash.

Is anyway to prevent sunroof from leaking? I am thinking to not open at all since we all the time use A/C. What do you think?

Thank you.

Just don't go to touch-free car wash!!!!

 

[WillRav4Tacos]

My 2020 Limited moon roof will slow drip during heavy rain. The little catch tray becomes wet to the touch but nowhere near remotely full. From what I've read this is fairly standard with moon roofs.

Like others have said I will either eyeball the moon roof from outside when getting in or drive off and let the breeze clear off any debris from the roof before opening it.

I also inspect the drain tubes/trough a few times a year. Two of the drain tubes are easy to see on the front end, the back end drain tubes seem to be way back under the headliner so I dunno really the best way to check those. I do wipe down the accessable areas of the trough with just a damp cloth since some dirt/pollen can accumulate there over time.

This is my first car with a moon roof so maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I tend to try and take care of the things I own so they last the long haul. 😎🍻

 

[New2018rav4owner]

The solution: If there's any chance of debris on the roof drive away and let it blow off before opening it. Works perfect with no other special cleaning needed.

Many owners are under the mistaken impression that the roof is supposed to seal perfectly when closed. Not true. The drain system remedies the non-perfect seal.

Thank you. I will make sure to drive off before open it. Overall, I dont think I will open it often as I prefer the A/C and want to avoid dust from outside. Usually, I always keep all my windows closed all entire year.

 

[New2018rav4owner]

Just don't go to touch-free car wash!!!!

What car wash shall I use? On my 2018 I only used touch-free car wash and the paint remained fresh until I sold it this week.

 

[New2018rav4owner]

My 2020 Limited moon roof will slow drip during heavy rain. The little catch tray becomes wet to the touch but nowhere near remotely full. From what I've read this is fairly standard with moon roofs.

Like others have said I will either eyeball the moon roof from outside when getting in or drive off and let the breeze clear off any debris from the roof before opening it.

I also inspect the drain tubes/trough a few times a year. Two of the drain tubes are easy to see on the front end, the back end drain tubes seem to be way back under the headliner so I dunno really the best way to check those. I do wipe down the accessable areas of the trough with just a damp cloth since some dirt/pollen can accumulate there over time.

This is my first car with a moon roof so maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I tend to try and take care of the things I own so they last the long haul. 😎🍻

Thank you. I understand you, and as you this is my first car with sunroof. I will wash the car on touch free car wash and report here how it goes. how you wash your car?

 

[WillRav4Tacos]

Thank you. I understand you, and as you this is my first car with sunroof. I will wash the car on touch free car wash and report here how it goes. how you wash your car?

I use a foam cannon first to suds up the car then rinse and then I hand wash with a microfiber mitt and dry with microfiber towels.

I avoid auto washes with my new Rav4. The touch kind can and usually does damage the clear coat. I also find (at least where I live) the touch-free kind doesn't do a thorough job cleaning the vehicle and also leaves soap film behind.

If you don't have the ability to hand wash where you live, the touch free is probably the way to go though as it's the lesser of the two evils. You may see a little water dribble in through the moon roof but if you're good about keeping those drain holes clear, you shouldn't have any nasty surprises. 😎

Enjoy your new Rav4!

 

[Blogson]

11 years of commercial soft touch car washes and the paint and finish on our RAV4 still looks new. It spends a lot of time in our garage And no leaks from the mandatory option sunroof, which I haven't opened apart from once when the vehicle was new. Ordinarily I don't think that sunroof leaks are a huge problem and if used, sunroofs are maintained properly.

 

[New2018rav4owner]

I use a foam cannon first to suds up the car then rinse and then I hand wash with a microfiber mitt and dry with microfiber towels.

I avoid auto washes with my new Rav4. The touch kind can and usually does damage the clear coat. I also find (at least where I live) the touch-free kind doesn't do a thorough job cleaning the vehicle and also leaves soap film behind.

If you don't have the ability to hand wash where you live, the touch free is probably the way to go though as it's the lesser of the two evils. You may see a little water dribble in through the moon roof but if you're good about keeping those drain holes clear, you shouldn't have any nasty surprises. 😎

Enjoy your new Rav4!

Thank you. Hand washing would have been perfect, but I cannot do that because I live in an apartment. I used only a touch-free car wash, and I was happy with the results; of course, it is not a thorough wash, but the paint kept the shiniest for three years as it was new.

 

[New2018rav4owner]

11 years of commercial soft touch car washes and the paint and finish on our RAV4 still looks new. It spends a lot of time in our garage And no leaks from the mandatory option sunroof, which I haven't opened apart from once when the vehicle was new. Ordinarily I don't think that sunroof leaks are a huge problem and if used, sunroofs are maintained properly.

I like the sunroof because it gives more light on the cabin. I don't plan to use it as I keep all my windows closed.

I have to use touch-free wash because I don't have other options.

 

[Big Daddy]

Having owned 3 vehicles with sunroof I have never experienced any leaks, I love the extra light it brings into the cabin in the summer time or at night seeing the stars . Winter time kept it closed as the minus weather radiates through the glass. I never drive with the sunroof open way to much noise for me plus the dust etc.

 

[New2018rav4owner]

I never drive with the sunroof open way to much noise for me plus the dust etc.

Exactly this, all my windows remain always closed.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

Wow, dust! Where do you folks live that dust is such an issue?
I could understand it on dirt roads in the country but if I lived in a city that was that dirty I'd move.

 

[Variman]

Another thing to watch with sun roofs is for gasket dryness. I have had sun roofs leak after long term ownership and not applying some form gasket/weatherstrip treatment. Once I applied a product such as Gummypfleger my sun roof gasket stopped leaking. Again, this is after years of ownership.

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[ncej]

What car wash shall I use? On my 2018 I only used touch-free car wash and the paint remained fresh until I sold it this week.

I use Optimum No Rinse with the two-bucket method, microfiber towels, and a microfiber washer. Saves on water, very tidy, can be done anywhere, adds a mild wax coating, and doesn't scratch the clear coat.

 

[dbkelly]

Hi all,
I just purchased my new 2021 RAV4 Limited which come standard with sunroof. This will be my first car with sunroof and I read stories about leaking when doing car touch-free car wash.

Is anyway to prevent sunroof from leaking? I am thinking to not open at all since we all the time use A/C. What do you think?

Thank you.

I use some silicone spray or grease on a rag and clean and lube the rubber gasket and the surface it contacts every spring keeps the rubber soft and new, any grit on the surface will rub and wear the gasket out. Car washes are fine, you will see some drips in the corners but this is accounted for.