Is it safe to drive with the sunroof open on the highway?
3 Answers
It is not safe to drive with the sunroof open on the highway. Driving with windows open on the highway poses significant safety risks. Here are the reasons why it is not recommended to open windows while driving on the highway: 1. Increased fuel consumption: At high speeds, the car's streamlined design effectively reduces wind resistance. However, opening the windows disrupts the airtightness, leading to increased air resistance and consequently higher fuel consumption. 2. Increased noise: Opening the windows at high speeds significantly increases wind noise, reducing comfort. 3. Interior gets dirty: Driving with windows open on the highway naturally makes the interior/roof lining more susceptible to dust accumulation. 4. Increased risk of accidents: The typical speed on highways is around 120 km/h, and many drivers store luggage or tools in the trunk. Strong winds from open windows can cause imbalance, leading to traffic accidents.
Technically, you can open the sunroof on the highway, but it's not recommended to try it casually. Having driven for many years, I can tell you that opening the sunroof at high speeds creates extremely strong airflow—the roaring wind noise can numb your ears and seriously distract you. What’s even more dangerous is that objects inside the car, like phones or hats, can easily get blown out and cause trouble if they hit another vehicle. I’ve also experienced the awkwardness of water leaking through the sunroof during rain—even though some cars have drainage designs, the high-speed wind pressure makes it unreliable. If you really must open it, just crack it slightly for ventilation; don’t open it fully. Additionally, highway conditions are complex, and when navigating curves or overtaking, the car can become unstable, which opening the sunroof might worsen. I usually only open the sunroof at low speeds in the city to enjoy the sunlight—on the highway, it’s safer to keep it closed and use the AC. Safety first—don’t take risks for momentary convenience.
Opening the sunroof at high speeds seems impractical to me. The wind noise is so loud that it's impossible to have a proper conversation, drowning out the music with its roaring sound, and making hair fly everywhere while irritating the eyes. At high speeds, the airflow is too strong—what started as an attempt to cool down in summer ends up with chilly gusts making people shiver. It's better to close the window and turn on the air conditioning for controllable temperature. I've also experienced dust and bugs flying in, which is a hassle to clean up. Compared to opening the side windows, which allows better control of airflow, the sunroof increases air resistance at high speeds, compromising driving comfort. Occasionally opening it briefly in good weather at low speeds might be fine, but on highways, a quiet drive is what matters most.
