2010 Factory Sunroof

YES! you want the sunroof! I love it!!!!!!:cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:
It lets in a bunch of light and fresh air. I am really happy I got it and have used it every day so far and I live in Oregon

 

Well, I waited 3 weeks to meet with the regional Toyota service rep. He agreed to cover half of the cost replacement of the deflector. So it will cost me about $220. To me that is fair, since, in retrospect, It may have gotten chipped some other time, then the sudden rain may have cooled the glass quickly, causing the chip to spread. I'm wondering about getting some kind of clear bra type material to cover it, since we are in a hail and wind prone area.

 

I can't tell from the pictures, and it's not a concern for me as I don't want a sunroof; however I have seen several posts of people talking about adding an aftermarket sunroof to their 2010 prius. Perhaps someone can educate me and perhaps others that are interested in this..

Looking at the pictures below, the roof (SR option) appears to be flat, or at least smoothly contoured. Is that so? The non-SR models have a very distinctive triple bulge in the top roof line. If the cars actually have a different roof, then adding an aftermarket sunroof does not appear that it will be an easy retrofit, and even if possible may not look like a professional application.

Do the SR models have the bulge built into the SR?

If you really want a sunroof you may want to consider this prior to settling for a non-SR model.

 

Wow. I was trying to decide between a IV with sunroof and a V with 17" wheels, but this thread may have helped make my decision. I love sunroofs, but the Prius sunroof looks like it could be problematic in the long term.

The entire roof of the car is glass. If a tree branch falls on a normal roof, you can live with a dent. But the entire glass roof could shatter. If you do get damage to the glass over the solar panels, the cost of repair could be significant. That glass wind deflector panel looks like a weak point of the design. I'm guessing that that piece of glass is not as thick or durable as the windshield glass, leaving it susceptible to the damage that some are describing here.

The solar roof looks like a great design that provides benefits (the cooling), but just might not be durable enough for the real world.

 

I'm not a big fan of roof's that slide over the top anyway. Looks like it will block the solar panel when it's open. I still think the panel is a gimick. Why not just make the fan electric? It can't draw that much power when you are parked to be an issue. Seems like it's adding $800 to the price of a SR

 

The solar panel is designed to keep the interior of the car cool while it is parked in the sun, and nothing else.


+ Air conditioning will not have to work as hard (less gas used to power the A/C)
- Requires more frequent air filter replacement
- Can potentially wear out the fan faster

It would really be nice if the solar panel helped charge the battery. Even if it is a minuscule amount of energy and "not worth it", the Prius' efficiency comes from the sum of its parts. 50Wh collected by the solar panel is about 50Wh of gas that we wouldn't need to burn.

 

So it simply creates enough current to run the fan when stopped and doesn't store energy at all? Wouldn't work in the shade or a cloudy day?

 

Right. It only creates enough current to run the fan and doesn't store energy.

Depending on how much sunlight there is, it might not work in the shade or on a cloudy day. This might be less important though, since the car wouldn't get as hot as when sitting in direct sunlight.

So the solar roof would be (unfortunately) pretty useless for most of the year for people who live in mild climates.

 

Does the solar ventilation system use the same fan/s that the A/C system uses?
Where are the intake and outtake vents for the solar ventilation located?

 

Probably one of the reasons most are upset with the total pricing and packaging with Nav. A lot of people like driving with the open hatch on a cool evening and looking at the stars overhead. The solar option is overkill for a good percentage of people simply wanting a sunroof. For those willing to add an aftermarket roof (not me) I would think the contours in the nonSR roof will give a fitter headaches. Certainly a flat panel inserted in the middle of the countours will look goofy.

 

I'm fairly certain it uses the same fan. I read somewhere on this forum that the SR package includes a more durable fan motor, but I haven't seen any documentation supporting that claim.

The intake vents are outside right by the windshield wipers. I'm guessing the outtake vent is the vent used for the battery (rear seat, starboard side).

Exactly. Even regardless of climate, there are so many things that can prevent the fans from powering up. It would've been so much more useful to just trickle-charge the battery. (Someone else posted that Toyota could not do this due to some electrical interference issue)

 

the glass is very thick

yes, if you leave the roof open the solar system will not work as well as it is partially blocked by the glass

the roof is not shaped the same as a non solar roof, and i agree that an aftermarket install might be problemmatic

when open, the look is quite impressive up close

the fit and finish is excellent, as is the ride inside when the roof is open

the fan motors are upgraded in the solar version with brushless technology for longevity

there is no storage - no sun, no vent

it is not for everyone, and i agree its unfortunate you can't just buy a sunroof (without Solar OR Nav)

i am very content with my decision to get the solar

 

I have a question about the solar roof that I have asked in other threads but not gotten an answer.

If you enable the solar cooling, the fan keep running when you unlock and open the door, doesn't it? If you remotely start the AC, then unlock the door, the AC stops? When this happens, does the solar powered fan continue or does it stop also? In other words, does starting the remote AC set up an "all or none" condition where when you unlock the car you get no AC or ventilation until you start the car? Thanks.

 

I was thinking about the ventilation feature today, and I wondered what others' opinions are about whether cracking the windows, as I normally do on a hot day, would be good, bad, or indifferent with the solar roof? Would it still help cut down on the heat build up, or would having the windows cracked alter/interfere with the air flow from the ventilation system and make it not work as well?

 

If you use the remote A/C everything shuts off including the Solar fan when the door is opened. You are correct that if you are only using the Solar fan it will continue to operate when you open the door and will stop as soon as you press the power button.

 

Thanks. So it is a bit of a trade off. I like the idea of having the air moving when getting in.

 

I read somewhere that the original intention was for the solar panels to actually charge the main batteries, but at some late stage of development it was discovered that the panel caused interference with other electrical items in the car. So the decision was made to limit it's use to ventilation.

It would have been a great idea if it charged the battery and helped cut fuel use even more, but I agree that the ventilation part is a gimmick for all but the hottest areas of the country.

 

I remember helping a friend install a 1956 engine in his 1951 Chevrolet. The major technology change between the two engines was the addition of pressure oil lubrication. The earlier engine used splash lubrication (no oil pump). He didn't install an oil filter, because, after all, it was just a gimmick. If you changed your oil every 1000 miles like you were supposed to, you really didn't need an oil filter.

Other gimmicks that I can think of include turn signals, electric windows, interval wipers, remote locking, air conditioning, air bags, radios, power steering, automatic transmission, hydraulic brakes, side mirrors...

Many of yesterday's gimmicks are today's standard items. I think solar panel powered ventilation is going to be one of those standard items.

 

I'd bet on that... and that it's just a single step in the direction of having the solar panel also charge the battery. Baby steps, people!
Now where's my Prius, Toyota??!!

 

I have a IV with the solar package and absolutely love the sunroof. I highly recommend it. Interesting point made though about the chances of it shattering. Hopefully, this won't happen but I could see how it is possible just like its possible for your windshield to crack from a rock as well.

I'm still interested to see how the solar panel section holds up with the weather over time and if it will eventually need to be repaired.