Hey guys. I just took that pop up wind deflector off of the sunroof. It makes opening and closing the sunroof a lot quieter. Does anyone know if there are any other reasons that its there? I dont want to create problems, it just didnt seem like it did much, only held in by two screws.

 

Black with a few holes in it? When I play with mine while driving and hold it down the air rushes down into the cabin. Feels nice and all, but can probably get old real quick. When it's up it creates a vacuum it seems and pulls the air out (smoke a cig and watch the smoke), and when I hold it down air rushes in and is really a lot for back-seat passengers while cruising at highway speeds.
(also smoke a cig again and I bet they won't like the ashes blowing on them.
I hope we're talking about the same piece.

 

I do the same, if I hold it down it allows alot of air in, which I like. What I hate is, the sunroof is way too noisy if the black piece is left alone (wind noise)

I suppose I could just get a wind deflector for the roof?

 

I think we are, I noticed something interesting when playing with the plastic piece as well. I found that I received a nasty vibrating sound not unlike the thumping of helicopter rotors at close range when traveling at highway speeds with the plastic down. it was loud and uncomfortable. I guess freak is right, it probably has something to do with how the air flows through our runners. oh, and I drive a 2000 for reference.

steve

 

That sound usually happens to me too, but thats when I'm cruising at 80-85. (Normal Summertime shore traffic speeds) I think maybe if there were stronger springs to hold it more taut it would be better. Open the back window a crack to get rid of the sound, and even more air flow.

 

You are right about that helicopter sound when holding the black piece down.. I usually put the rear hatch window down about 4 inches and it seems to help out the flow inside from the sunroof. (makes it quiet too)

 

do you guys have the big smoked plastic deflector, I would think that would deflect the wind more than the pop up thing

 

Actually, most of the time those smoked plastic deflectors make things worse. (They're mostly another gimmick to get your money) They create a huge vacuum pocket behind them, which makes even more buffeting. The pop-up style just creates a pressure ridge above the opening at speed that smoothes out the airflow, if it's well designed.

The answer is painfully obvious - at 80+ mph a gaping hole in the roof is never going to be aerodynamic, period. If the wind noise or buffeting is bothersome, SHUT THE SUNROOF! Or slow down....