How to Open the Hood of a BMW 3 Series?
4 Answers
To ensure safety, the vehicle must be parked and turned off before opening the hood. Inside the car's cabin, you can find the hood release handle located on the left side near the driver's footwell. It is marked with a front hood symbol, and the "X2" indicates that you need to pull it twice. After pulling twice, the hood will be released. Pay attention to the latch position and make sure both support rods are properly secured after opening the hood.
Opening the hood of a BMW 3 Series is actually quite simple, I've taught friends how to do it many times. Sit in the driver's seat with the door closed, look down towards your left foot, and you'll find a lever with a car hood icon on the side below the steering wheel. Pull it firmly towards you, and you'll hear a 'click' sound as the hood pops open slightly. Then, walk to the front of the car, insert your fingers into the gap to find the small yellow latch inside. Push it upwards firmly while lifting the hood with your other hand. Finally, don't forget to secure the metal support rod into the hood's slot. Remember to open it quarterly to check the oil dipstick and coolant color, which helps detect leaks or deterioration early and can save you a lot on maintenance costs.
Before operation, ensure the vehicle is turned off and parked on level ground to prevent burns and rolling. Opening the hood when the engine is hot may release steam, so it's best to operate when the engine is cool. BMW's design requires first pulling the hood release lever from the driver's seat—located just below the side of the center console near the left knee. After pulling, the hood will pop open with a gap about the width of a finger. Then, move to the front of the car, insert your fingers into the center gap, feel for the latch, push it upward while lifting the hood. After propping up the support rod, remember to check if the latch is secure. You can also check the engine oil and brake fluid levels while you're at it, especially before a long trip, to avoid breakdowns on the road.
Opening the BMW hood is a two-step process: pull the release inside the car, then locate the lever under the hood. I've been doing this with my 3 Series for five years. First, sit in the driver's seat and look down to find the pull handle with the car symbol near your left leg, then give it a firm tug. After exiting the car, go straight to the front center of the hood. Reach into the gap of the hood to feel for a small yellow latch, push it upward with your finger while lifting the hood. Finally, secure the support rod before inspecting the engine bay. It's essential to clear any leaves from the drainage channel as accumulated water can corrode components. The whole process takes about three minutes and requires no tools.
