Why is the sunroof so dumb?
06-26-2019, 02:55 PM
#1
Why is the sunroof so dumb?
My RDX was left out in a torrential downpour with the lovely panoramic sunroof wide open. What’s the matter with this car? Is it as stupid as its owner?It’s got a rain sensor, for the wipers. Couldn’t it have closed the roof for me, or at least sent me a text telling me what was happening?
My more practical question: Any ideas on what to do to avoid mold and other horrors? Obviously I wiped it down, and I’ve been leaving it out in the sun with all the glass open. What else can I do?
My more practical question: Any ideas on what to do to avoid mold and other horrors? Obviously I wiped it down, and I’ve been leaving it out in the sun with all the glass open. What else can I do?
06-26-2019, 03:06 PM
#2
My RDX was left out in a torrential downpour with the lovely panoramic sunroof wide open. What’s the matter with this car? Is it as stupid as its owner?It’s got a rain sensor, for the wipers. Couldn’t it have closed the roof for me, or at least sent me a text telling me what was happening?
My more practical question: Any ideas on what to do to avoid mold and other horrors? Obviously I wiped it down, and I’ve been leaving it out in the sun with all the glass open. What else can I do?
My more practical question: Any ideas on what to do to avoid mold and other horrors? Obviously I wiped it down, and I’ve been leaving it out in the sun with all the glass open. What else can I do?
All you can do is try to dry everything as much as you can. Hopefully none of the electronics have been damaged. How much water got into the vehicle? You might have to pull up the mats to dry the floorboards underneath.
06-26-2019, 03:22 PM
#3
Senior Moderator
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hockeyaddict (06-26-2019)
06-26-2019, 03:44 PM
#4
Skeptic
Trade it in or sell it
Festoon it with air fresheners for a week first.
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06-26-2019, 04:52 PM
#8
If it was raining right when I turn off my vehicle I’m going to know based on water coming into the car to shut the sunroof.
When power is shut off then almost everything is turned off, including the rain sensor. Even the motor to the sunroof is turned off. Having certain systems on in the car while turned off as you can imagine, will pose problems. Your battery will drain and your car won’t start. I’m sure engineers have thought about this.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 06-26-2019 at 04:57 PM.
06-26-2019, 05:09 PM
#9
"When power is shut off then almost everything is turned off, including the rain sensor." This can be easily re-programmed including sunroof motor activation . Interlocks should include a baterry voltage level, for sure. Security system, dashcam are active when car is 'turned off'.
06-26-2019, 05:12 PM
#10
No other car does this. Sounds like this is a you problem.
06-26-2019, 05:21 PM
#11
"When power is shut off then almost everything is turned off, including the rain sensor." This can be easily re-programmed including sunroof motor activation . Interlocks should include a baterry voltage level, for sure. Security system, dashcam are active when car is 'turned off'.
Also, if the rain sensor goes bad then you’ll have even more problems regarding the sunroof. It might close randomly while you’re driving to override your commands.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 06-26-2019 at 05:30 PM.
06-26-2019, 05:38 PM
#12
Skeptic
The heated and ventilated seats should always default to off when the cars is turned off. My inconsiderate asshole mother-in-law sits in the back and leaves hers on max.
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DriverOne (06-26-2019)
06-26-2019, 06:14 PM
#13
Drifting
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
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Is there any car that does what you want? How much is it, and which one is it?
06-26-2019, 06:30 PM
#15
Google, this is an example: 'How to enable auto close windows and sunroof on your VW Jetta and NMS VW Passat (2012+)'
https://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/a...n-your-mk5-vw/
IMO this is desired feature for parked car with the open sunroof. BTW I don't suffer dementia and weather is changing faster than local forecast in my area.
https://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/a...n-your-mk5-vw/
IMO this is desired feature for parked car with the open sunroof. BTW I don't suffer dementia and weather is changing faster than local forecast in my area.
06-26-2019, 06:41 PM
#16
Just close the damn sunroof every time you park your car...I don’t know why that’s so hard for some people. If you need to keep windows open then just get a window deflector and crack open the side windows.
06-26-2019, 06:55 PM
#17
So, I’m not expecting anything from Acura, since 2019/2020 RDX operates 'as designed'.
2018-05-29 · "Regarding Android Auto, there's actually no specification for Android that works with a touchpad," said Acura RDX Engineering Development Leader Stephen Frey at a media event last week.
06-26-2019, 06:57 PM
#18
Drifting
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
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It was real sunny today. And hot. Why didn’t my car know it was sunny and hot today and not raining? It should have opened the windows. It should have known when I was going to drive it, and started the engine and run the AC.
why should it have been up to me to remote start the car and run the AC? It takes, like over a minute to make all the computer connections with the app, and even longer minutes to cool the car down.
why doesn’t it periodically start the car and cool it down in case I want to drive it? Why does it get bad gas mileage?
why should it have been up to me to remote start the car and run the AC? It takes, like over a minute to make all the computer connections with the app, and even longer minutes to cool the car down.
why doesn’t it periodically start the car and cool it down in case I want to drive it? Why does it get bad gas mileage?
06-26-2019, 08:13 PM
#20
06-26-2019, 08:16 PM
#21
06-26-2019, 08:29 PM
#23
Regarding RDX software, Acura is unable to fix infotainment bugs or implement advertised Android functionality - 1 year after RDX debut.
So, I’m not expecting anything from Acura, since 2019/2020 RDX operates 'as designed'.
2018-05-29 · "Regarding Android Auto, there's actually no specification for Android that works with a touchpad," said Acura RDX Engineering Development Leader Stephen Frey at a media event last week.
So, I’m not expecting anything from Acura, since 2019/2020 RDX operates 'as designed'.
2018-05-29 · "Regarding Android Auto, there's actually no specification for Android that works with a touchpad," said Acura RDX Engineering Development Leader Stephen Frey at a media event last week.
Either way, this is derailing from the point of the thread.
We get it. You are unhappy with Acura. You’ll find faults with it at every turn. Might as well trade or sell your car and get a different vehicle. If Android Auto is what you’re worried about then you probably should get another vehicle that already has Android Auto instead.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 06-26-2019 at 08:31 PM.
06-26-2019, 08:43 PM
#24
Perhaps the bugs are due to the inherent nature of android itself, the platform in which the RDX infotainment system is designed. Android is notoriously buggy.
Either way, this is derailing from the point of the thread.
We get it. You are unhappy with Acura. You’ll find faults with it at every turn. Might as well trade or sell your car and get a different vehicle. If Android Auto is what you’re worried about then you probably should get another vehicle that already has Android Auto instead.
Either way, this is derailing from the point of the thread.
We get it. You are unhappy with Acura. You’ll find faults with it at every turn. Might as well trade or sell your car and get a different vehicle. If Android Auto is what you’re worried about then you probably should get another vehicle that already has Android Auto instead.
06-26-2019, 10:41 PM
#26
Three Wheelin'
My RDX was left out in a torrential downpour with the lovely panoramic sunroof wide open. What’s the matter with this car? Is it as stupid as its owner?It’s got a rain sensor, for the wipers. Couldn’t it have closed the roof for me, or at least sent me a text telling me what was happening?
My more practical question: Any ideas on what to do to avoid mold and other horrors? Obviously I wiped it down, and I’ve been leaving it out in the sun with all the glass open. What else can I do?
My more practical question: Any ideas on what to do to avoid mold and other horrors? Obviously I wiped it down, and I’ve been leaving it out in the sun with all the glass open. What else can I do?
06-26-2019, 10:48 PM
#27
The auto idle stop already puts a big strain on the battery.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 06-26-2019 at 10:55 PM.
06-27-2019, 06:03 AM
#28
Thanks for the useful suggestions about remediation of this problem. And for the literal-minded critics, an explanation:
My post consisted of two parts. The first was a self-deprecating facetious suggestion that the car should have taken responsibility for my own blunder. I am actually well aware that the roof shouldn’t be left open when it’s going to rain. My failure was not one of judgement, but simply a careless oversight. I suspect that even the most self-righteous folks here have made a mistake or two in their lives.
The second part was a serious question about what to do, beyond the obvious. I appreciate the ideas that emerged.
My post consisted of two parts. The first was a self-deprecating facetious suggestion that the car should have taken responsibility for my own blunder. I am actually well aware that the roof shouldn’t be left open when it’s going to rain. My failure was not one of judgement, but simply a careless oversight. I suspect that even the most self-righteous folks here have made a mistake or two in their lives.
The second part was a serious question about what to do, beyond the obvious. I appreciate the ideas that emerged.
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robnalex (06-27-2019)
06-27-2019, 08:50 AM
#29
Racer
Thanks for the useful suggestions about remediation of this problem. And for the literal-minded critics, an explanation:
My post consisted of two parts. The first was a self-deprecating facetious suggestion that the car should have taken responsibility for my own blunder. I am actually well aware that the roof shouldn’t be left open when it’s going to rain. My failure was not one of judgement, but simply a careless oversight. I suspect that even the most self-righteous folks here have made a mistake or two in their lives.
The second part was a serious question about what to do, beyond the obvious. I appreciate the ideas that emerged.
My post consisted of two parts. The first was a self-deprecating facetious suggestion that the car should have taken responsibility for my own blunder. I am actually well aware that the roof shouldn’t be left open when it’s going to rain. My failure was not one of judgement, but simply a careless oversight. I suspect that even the most self-righteous folks here have made a mistake or two in their lives.
The second part was a serious question about what to do, beyond the obvious. I appreciate the ideas that emerged.
Regarding mold- its worst enemy is air, dry air. You might even consider running the car with the temp high (heat) and the A/C on (to dehumidify).
06-27-2019, 10:19 AM
#31
Senior Moderator
06-27-2019, 12:47 PM
#32
As someone mentioned above, some Audi's and VW's could actually be programmed to auto close the sunroof and windows in the event of rain. Mind you this has been possible on some models since the early 2000's. But sue happy AmeriCANs (as in if they CAN, they WILL sue) are the reason why many features such as keyfob activated window roll up is removed on many vehicles that would otherwise have it.
So that is a long way of saying it isn't crazy to hope the car would have that feature. It would be incredibly useful in areas known for sudden rains. It's been raining here in Alberta for the past 3ish weeks. But it literally comes and goes suddenly. Clear skies turn dark and boom torrential rain, then all clears up and rinse and repeat. So having a feature like auto close windows via rain sensor would be INCREDIBLY helpful.
As for what you can do, I think you've pretty much done what you can. As someone suggested above, try running the heat on high with the AC on for a couple hours and pray that it evaporates most of the water. I would be terrified if my car interior got soaked like that, especially with the RDX's dash layout!
So that is a long way of saying it isn't crazy to hope the car would have that feature. It would be incredibly useful in areas known for sudden rains. It's been raining here in Alberta for the past 3ish weeks. But it literally comes and goes suddenly. Clear skies turn dark and boom torrential rain, then all clears up and rinse and repeat. So having a feature like auto close windows via rain sensor would be INCREDIBLY helpful.
As for what you can do, I think you've pretty much done what you can. As someone suggested above, try running the heat on high with the AC on for a couple hours and pray that it evaporates most of the water. I would be terrified if my car interior got soaked like that, especially with the RDX's dash layout!
06-27-2019, 01:18 PM
#33
Three Wheelin'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_s...motive_sensors
In 1958, the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors experimented with a water-sensitive switch that triggered various electric motors to close the convertible top and raise the open windows of a specially-built Eldorado Biarritz model, in case of rain. The first such device appears to have been used for that same purpose in a concept vehicle designated Le Sabre and built around 1950–51.
Last edited by anoop; 06-27-2019 at 01:23 PM.
06-27-2019, 03:28 PM
#34
A few points:
First of all, robnalex is right that drying out the car is the biggest way to stop mold from forming. But the problem is once mold forms, drying out the car alone probably won't do anything. The car has lots of padded foam areas, particularly within the seats and the headliner area, that would probably retain moisture. If you got your couch wet, for example, you can dry out the outside but it's tough to get the inside dry before mold forms. That's why I recommended at least looking under the headliner. It may sound bad, but I think decent body shops could access those areas. As far as I know (and I don't know much, so take this with a grain of salt) the headliner is just glued up to the roof, so it can be removed and replaced fairly easily.
Second of all, I think that people don't need to be too hard on the OP. We've all been there when something dumb happened and we're just venting. Like if you back into something a leave a giant crease in your car, of course your first reaction will be something like "who put that there?" or "why couldn't the car auto stop me?" That's human nature.
Lastly, I've never owned a car with a sun roof before this one. So I did just try it out and I actually messed it up myself. When I closed the roof, it didn't just close, it returned to the "slightly ajar and tilted up" position, if I remember. I was lucky I saw that, or I would have just closed up the roof cover and then been surprised the next time it rained, just like the OP. I was so paranoid about it that I closed it and then got out and eyeballed the roof from the outside just to make sure everything was sealed. So I do have some sympathy for him. That being said, I don't know why anyone would ever leave a sunroof open for any reason. Isn't that basically a "break into my car" sign?
First of all, robnalex is right that drying out the car is the biggest way to stop mold from forming. But the problem is once mold forms, drying out the car alone probably won't do anything. The car has lots of padded foam areas, particularly within the seats and the headliner area, that would probably retain moisture. If you got your couch wet, for example, you can dry out the outside but it's tough to get the inside dry before mold forms. That's why I recommended at least looking under the headliner. It may sound bad, but I think decent body shops could access those areas. As far as I know (and I don't know much, so take this with a grain of salt) the headliner is just glued up to the roof, so it can be removed and replaced fairly easily.
Second of all, I think that people don't need to be too hard on the OP. We've all been there when something dumb happened and we're just venting. Like if you back into something a leave a giant crease in your car, of course your first reaction will be something like "who put that there?" or "why couldn't the car auto stop me?" That's human nature.
Lastly, I've never owned a car with a sun roof before this one. So I did just try it out and I actually messed it up myself. When I closed the roof, it didn't just close, it returned to the "slightly ajar and tilted up" position, if I remember. I was lucky I saw that, or I would have just closed up the roof cover and then been surprised the next time it rained, just like the OP. I was so paranoid about it that I closed it and then got out and eyeballed the roof from the outside just to make sure everything was sealed. So I do have some sympathy for him. That being said, I don't know why anyone would ever leave a sunroof open for any reason. Isn't that basically a "break into my car" sign?
06-27-2019, 03:38 PM
#35
Racer
Unless I am only leaving my car for a moment and I can see it, I close everything - even in my garage. I don't want any critters getting inside it!
06-27-2019, 03:45 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
Leaving the sun roof open could help keep the car ventilated on a hot day. Leaving it tilted open is quite common.
06-27-2019, 04:03 PM
#37
People leave their convertible top down all the time. Unless there is stuff in the car that a thief can take, there is no reason to be to concerned about a break in.
Leaving the sun roof open could help keep the car ventilated on a hot day. Leaving it tilted open is quite common.
Leaving the sun roof open could help keep the car ventilated on a hot day. Leaving it tilted open is quite common.
Also, it is a bad idea to leave a car with sunroof open under a tree. You don't want bird poop in your car. There's way too much potential for problems with the sunroof open. Just leave your side windows ajar.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 06-27-2019 at 04:08 PM.
06-27-2019, 04:28 PM
#38
A few points:
First of all, robnalex is right that drying out the car is the biggest way to stop mold from forming. But the problem is once mold forms, drying out the car alone probably won't do anything. The car has lots of padded foam areas, particularly within the seats and the headliner area, that would probably retain moisture. If you got your couch wet, for example, you can dry out the outside but it's tough to get the inside dry before mold forms. That's why I recommended at least looking under the headliner. It may sound bad, but I think decent body shops could access those areas. As far as I know (and I don't know much, so take this with a grain of salt) the headliner is just glued up to the roof, so it can be removed and replaced fairly easily.
Second of all, I think that people don't need to be too hard on the OP. We've all been there when something dumb happened and we're just venting. Like if you back into something a leave a giant crease in your car, of course your first reaction will be something like "who put that there?" or "why couldn't the car auto stop me?" That's human nature.
Lastly, I've never owned a car with a sun roof before this one. So I did just try it out and I actually messed it up myself. When I closed the roof, it didn't just close, it returned to the "slightly ajar and tilted up" position, if I remember. I was lucky I saw that, or I would have just closed up the roof cover and then been surprised the next time it rained, just like the OP. I was so paranoid about it that I closed it and then got out and eyeballed the roof from the outside just to make sure everything was sealed. So I do have some sympathy for him. That being said, I don't know why anyone would ever leave a sunroof open for any reason. Isn't that basically a "break into my car" sign?
First of all, robnalex is right that drying out the car is the biggest way to stop mold from forming. But the problem is once mold forms, drying out the car alone probably won't do anything. The car has lots of padded foam areas, particularly within the seats and the headliner area, that would probably retain moisture. If you got your couch wet, for example, you can dry out the outside but it's tough to get the inside dry before mold forms. That's why I recommended at least looking under the headliner. It may sound bad, but I think decent body shops could access those areas. As far as I know (and I don't know much, so take this with a grain of salt) the headliner is just glued up to the roof, so it can be removed and replaced fairly easily.
Second of all, I think that people don't need to be too hard on the OP. We've all been there when something dumb happened and we're just venting. Like if you back into something a leave a giant crease in your car, of course your first reaction will be something like "who put that there?" or "why couldn't the car auto stop me?" That's human nature.
Lastly, I've never owned a car with a sun roof before this one. So I did just try it out and I actually messed it up myself. When I closed the roof, it didn't just close, it returned to the "slightly ajar and tilted up" position, if I remember. I was lucky I saw that, or I would have just closed up the roof cover and then been surprised the next time it rained, just like the OP. I was so paranoid about it that I closed it and then got out and eyeballed the roof from the outside just to make sure everything was sealed. So I do have some sympathy for him. That being said, I don't know why anyone would ever leave a sunroof open for any reason. Isn't that basically a "break into my car" sign?
06-27-2019, 05:37 PM
#39
Skeptic
On past vehicles, I always leave the windows down about an inch. Keeps the car at least 20 degrees cooler. You can't tell the windows are open unless you walk up and peer under them. And, of course, if T-storms move in, it's no problem.
06-27-2019, 05:44 PM
#40
Nobody makes them yet for the 3G RDX. I'm dying for WeatherTech to come out with their in-channel visors but it's looking like I'll have to go through the whole Summer without them. I'll only use WeatherTech and I'm in for an email notification when they're available.
On past vehicles, I always leave the windows down about an inch. Keeps the car at least 20 degrees cooler. You can't tell the windows are open unless you walk up and peer under them. And, of course, if T-storms move in, it's no problem.
On past vehicles, I always leave the windows down about an inch. Keeps the car at least 20 degrees cooler. You can't tell the windows are open unless you walk up and peer under them. And, of course, if T-storms move in, it's no problem.
https://www.wellvisors.net/index.php...-trim-6pc.html