Motoring Discussion > Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed?	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: movilogo	Replies: 25

Fri 26 Aug 11 10:06   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - movilogo

AFAIK, convertible roof can be operated only when the car is stationary or moving at low speed [< 30 MPH or so]. Why they can't be operated when the car is travelling at higher speed? Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 10:12   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - neiltoo

Because they act as a HUGE air brake, and can also be damaged. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 10:20   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Zero

Because if you use it you will loose it. The car behind will be wearing it as a wig. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 10:23   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Mike Hannon

XJS only operates with handbrake on and selector in park, although apparently you can rewire a plug to fool it that the handbrake is on. But why would you? See previous replies. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 10:29   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Iffy

The instructions for the CC3 say the roof should only be operated at a standstill. I don't know if the electronics prevent the roof working on the move, I've closed it in the rain on the hurry up with the engine running and the car in gear with the clutch down. It works a bit faster when the engine is running. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 10:40   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Cliff Pope

The hood on my 1947 Triumph Roadster was manual but could be raided or lowered with one hand at any speed. It didn't stick up in the air like a sail, but simply folded in on itself like a pram hood. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 10:55   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - rtj70

What a silly question by the OP - common sense will tell you why it shouldn't work when going more than say 20mph. Ever tried holding an umbrella in high winds when it turns inside out? A fabric roof tends to let you operate it when moving but many hard top folding arrangements do not. It's because they flex too much and cause damage. The CC3 had problems with leaking roofs originally and I wouldn't be surprised if this was linked to operating them whilst moving. Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 26 Aug 11 at 10:56 Reply to this message | Report message       3

Fri 26 Aug 11 11:07   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Crankcase

A few seconds of your time: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPeKpxOm0qI&feature=player_embedded and www.youtube.com/watch?v=viPkmdxv-Jo&feature=player_embedded Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 11:20   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - movilogo

>> What a silly question by the OP - common sense will tell you why it shouldn't work My common sense tells me only people without any sense buy convertibles :-) Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 11:57   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - bathtub tom

I had a Triumph Vitesse with a fabric sunroof. If I did more than 70MPH with it open it would pull itself out of its mountings. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 12:06   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - movilogo

Slight off topic, this article has a psychological explanation why we buy more convertibles in UK compared to other European countries. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-buy-the-most-softtop-cars--despite-the-weather-538983.html Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 12:47   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - WillDeBeest

2003 was a hot summer. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 12:58   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Iffy

...2003 was a hot summer... Convertibles sell better in northern Europe because we have the ideal climate for them, which is not too hot. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 13:19   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - rtj70

If you lived somewhere like Greece, for a large part of the day you wouldn't want the top down on a convertible. You'd soon burn and if you left it open in the sun whilst away the inside would be too hot to even touch. As iffy says, ironically we have a better climate for these. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 13:22   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Iffy

...As iffy says, ironically we have a better climate for these... Yes, although it's not a point I grasped until after I bought one. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 13:35   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Dog

I used to enjoy driving my MGB with the hood down at night (not these days though!) You've gotta do it proper mind - raybans, white scarf, brown WW2 flying jacket, blonde by ya side, She's out at work at the moment. :-) Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 13:43   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Zero

Soft tops belong to, and should only be driven in the states. Driving conditions, and climate mostly perfect for them. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 13:49   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Dog

Tenerife's climate is good for getting ya top off too - apart from when you get a dust storm from the Sahara! www.world-weather-travellers-guide.com/weather-in-tenerife.html Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 13:49   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - sooty123

But isn't the UK the biggest buyers of convertibles in Europe? Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 14:26   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - neiltoo

We do have a good climate for them. Generally, I'll drive the SAAB with the top down locally as long as it's not raining. It's not so comfortable for higher speeds, although the heating can get you toasty, the wind can be a problem, and it's a little noisy. It's good to get the sunshine and the vatamin D for someone who works indoors. I've driven it in France and Italy, but not in very hot conditions. Superb toddling round the wine regions of Alsace and Tuscany Going to the Pais Vasco and the Rioja in October, and hope to do the same. I do find that i'm a calmer, more considerate driver with the top down. I think it's because I'm less insulated from the surroundings. (I'm not an inconsiderate driver otherwise, but I can see the difference) Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 14:36   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - mikeyb

Used to enjoy driving mine on a crisp morning with the heated leather seats going. Was always impresed with teh refinement on the A4 cab - still made a reasonable motorway cruiser and not to noisey with the roof up Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 15:10   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Mike Hannon

It's often too hot to have the roof down where we are - over 30C is too much. Just after dusk is nice in summer or autumn, or on a sunny day in winter if you have a windbreak. I think the temperature in the UK is about right as far as convertible use is concerned - it's just a shame about the rain. The roof of the XJS stands almost straight up before it folds back, so trying to open or close it on the move would be disastrous. And having the engine running must help the electric/hydraulics. My pal has a couple of Z3s that have roofs that are very easy to open and close with one hand, once the catches are off. But, of course, Z3s are a bit titchy. And commonsense doesn't come into it really - driving in the open air is the next best thing to biking. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 16:01   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - henry k

>> Used to enjoy driving mine on a crisp morning with the heated leather seats going. >> My son informs me that when buying a SLK one of the sort after must have features is Airscarf - this allows heater air to be ducted up the seat to your neck. Currently priced at £395 I suspect other makers have this feature. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 18:47   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Meldrew

INSTALLING BRITISH SUMMER..... ██████████ █████░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE. Installation failed. 404 error: Season not found. ☂☃ Reason not to have a convertible in 2011!!!!! Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 21:39   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Bill Payer

Had a convertible in the US a few years ago when 3 of us went on a work trip - guy in the back complained so we closed the roof but had to slow down to 25MPH before it would operate. Even at that speed the roof was never the same again. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 26 Aug 11 21:55   Convertible roof - why operate only at low speed? - Old Navy

>> AFAIK, convertible roof can be operated only when the car is stationary or moving at >> low speed [< 30 MPH or so]. >> >> Why they can't be operated when the car is travelling at higher speed? >> Try driving at 30mph with the roof down, open a golf umbrella, if it does not blow inside out and you can hold on to it you will have an ejector seat. Reply to this message | Report message