How to Open the Engine Hood?

[Beatrice]

Method to open the engine hood: 1. Open the car door, sit in the driver's seat, and locate the engine switch lever on the left side of the driver's seat; 2. Pull the car engine lever by hand; 3. When you hear a 'click' sound; 4. Check if the car engine hood has been opened; 5. If there is a noticeable gap, it means the car engine hood has been opened; 6. Reach your hand into the central position at the front end of the engine compartment cover; 7. Feel for the auxiliary latch handle of the engine compartment cover; 8. Lift the latch upward and hold it; 9. Simultaneously lift the engine compartment cover upward and prop up the support rod.

[SanNevaeh]

I often do DIY car inspections, and popping the hood is pretty straightforward. First, sit in the driver's seat and locate the hood release lever under the steering wheel on the left side, just above knee level—it's marked with an engine icon. Give it a firm pull outward, and you'll hear a 'click' from the front, releasing the first latch. Close the door and walk to the front; the hood will now have a slight gap. Slide your hand into the middle slit of the front grille to feel a metal lever. Push the lever left with your index finger while lifting the hood with your palm, and quickly support the bottom edge with your other hand to raise it fully. Newer cars use hydraulic struts—once lifted to 45 degrees, they'll hold automatically. Older models require manually inserting the support rod into its slot—make sure it's securely locked. When closing, retract the support rod first, then release the hood from about 30 cm high, letting it drop freely until you hear a solid 'thud' confirming it's latched. Be cautious of hot coolant when working on a warm engine, and shield the engine bay from rain if opening the hood in wet weather.

[MadelynLee]

I usually rely on my own experience for maintenance, and I'm very familiar with opening the hood. There's a small lever near the driver's left foot—pull it all the way until you feel the hood pop open. Walk around to the front of the car, and without bending down, you'll see the hood slightly raised with a gap. Slide your hand into the gap, find the metal latch with your fingertips, and flip it to the side while lifting the hood with your other hand. Once fully open, secure it with the support rod—note that support rods come in two types: metal rods and hydraulic struts. Closing the hood is where steps are easily forgotten: first, remove the support rod and place it back in its holder, then hold the hood with both hands and gently lower it to about half a meter high before letting it drop freely—don't push it down! The design includes a buffer spring, and forcing it down can damage the latch. I've seen people get their hands smashed by the hood because the support rod wasn't properly secured, so always double-check before leaning in to check the engine oil.

[Pereira]

Three-Year Driving Experience Reveals Hood Opening Tricks. Upon entering the car, first locate the pull ring marked with an engine icon under the steering wheel, then pull it firmly all the way without releasing. Exit the vehicle and head straight to the front; the hood should already be raised about two fingers' width. Slide your hand into the gap near the emblem, where your thumb and forefinger can perfectly hook onto the metal latch. Push the latch toward the driver's seat while simultaneously lifting the hood—ladies who find it heavy can use both hands to support the bottom edge and push upward. For models with hydraulic struts, the hood automatically locks at a 60-degree angle, while manual support rods need alignment with the socket. Closing is easiest: retract the support rod, lift the hood to shoulder height, then suddenly release. During my last maintenance, I noticed a detail—some cars have hood opening instructions pasted inside; a quick glance helps when memory fails. Opening the hood when the engine is cold is safer; avoid touching the radiator fins right after turning off the engine.

[OArcher]

Back in the teaching days, we always emphasized the sequence of opening the hood. There are two types of cabin release handles: one above the driver's foot pedal or on the left side of the dashboard, featuring a black pull ring with raised dots for anti-slip. After pulling, listen for the clear unlocking sound before exiting to operate. Hidden in the front grille gap is a safety latch hook – reach in and lift it upward (not push sideways), as designs vary by model. Wear gloves when lifting the hood as edges can be sharp. Support rods come in pneumatic or standard types – ensure it's securely locked when raised. A common mistake when closing is gently lowering it; the correct method is a free-fall drop from 40cm height. Engine bays gather dust, so keep wet wipes handy to clean hands. For prolonged inspections, reinforce the rod with a wooden stick for added safety.