How to Open the Hood of a Jeep Compass?
4 Answers
Located at the lower left side of the driver's position, on the inner front side of the left front door, there is a square lever. Pulling this lever will release the spring mechanism of the hood, causing it to pop up with a relatively wide gap. However, the hood is not fully open at this stage. Proceed to the front of the vehicle, reach into the gap, and you will find another lever. Push this lever to the left and lift the hood to fully open it. The car hood serves three main purposes: 1. Airflow Management: For objects moving at high speeds through air, the aerodynamic drag and turbulence generated around the object can significantly affect its trajectory and speed. The design of the hood helps in efficiently directing the airflow relative to the car's movement, reducing the impact of air resistance. 2. Protection for the Engine and Surrounding Components: By enhancing the strength and structure of the hood, it effectively guards against adverse effects such as impacts, corrosion, rain, and electrical interference, ensuring the vehicle operates normally. 3. Aesthetics: The exterior design of a vehicle is a direct reflection of its value. As a crucial component of the overall appearance, the hood plays a vital role in the visual appeal, embodying the concept of the entire car and enhancing its attractiveness.
As a new owner of a Compass, I was all thumbs when I opened the hood for the first time last week. Now I've got it figured out: First, sit in the driver's seat and bend down to find the handle with the car logo near your left foot, then give it a firm pull until you hear a 'click.' Next, get out of the car and walk to the front center, reach into the hood gap to feel for a small lever, push it to the left while lifting the hood. Here's the key! The Compass hood is quite heavy, so remember to support it with your right hand while using your left hand to pull out the silver support rod and insert it into the hood slot. My friend didn’t secure it properly and ended up with a bruised hand from the hood slamming down. When closing it, gently lower the hood and release it from about 30 cm above the frame to let it lock into place—never push it down with your hands.
I'm quite familiar with opening the hood of a Jeep Compass, as I often change the oil myself. Don't touch it when the engine is running; just turn the key to the 'on' position to unlock it. Inside the cabin, there's a small orange lever below the steering wheel on the left—just pull it for two seconds. After the hood pops up, don't rush to lift it. Crouch down and locate a metal latch at the center bottom of the hood. Use your index finger to pull it all the way toward the driver's side before lifting. The support rod is foldable, so you need to straighten it and insert it into the hole, which is a bit more cumbersome than hydraulic struts. In winter, the plastic clips are brittle, so handle them gently. When closing the hood, make sure to return the support rod to its original position and secure it properly. You'll know it's locked when you hear a 'click' sound.
I've been driving a Jeep Compass for three years, and the hood release is simple in three steps: First, get in the car and pull the lever under the left side of the steering wheel—it's positioned quite low, so you'll need to bend down to reach it. Second, go to the front of the car, slide your fingers into the gap that pops up, and push the release latch. Third, lift the hood with one hand and insert the metal support rod. A reminder for my fellow ladies: always make sure the engine is off before opening the hood—I once forgot and burned my hand. Be extra careful when closing the hood to avoid getting long hair caught; wearing gloves is recommended. Finally, check if the hood gaps are even—if it's misaligned, it means it's not properly closed.
