
To open the hood of the Leiling: First, locate the hood release lever on the left side of the driver's footwell near the door pillar. Pull it, and you will hear a click from the front. Then, go to the front of the car, where you will see a gap of about 1cm between the hood and the body. With one hand lifting the hood, use the other hand to reach in from the top of the grille and pull the release lever inside. Then, push the hood up and secure it with the support rod. The Leiling has body dimensions of 4630mm in length, 1775mm in width, and 1480mm in height. It is a compact sedan based on Toyota's MC platform, specifically tailored for Chinese consumers. The Leiling is equipped with a new 1.2T engine, delivering a maximum power of 85kw and a maximum torque of 185nm.

Last month I just picked up my new Levin, and it took me a while to figure out how to open the hood. Sitting in the driver's seat, I looked down and found the inconspicuous lever below the left side of the steering wheel—that's the mechanism. Give it a firm pull, and you'll hear a 'pop' sound. Then, around to the front of the car, and you'll see a raised seam in the middle of the hood. Reach into the gap, and you'll feel a metal tab. Push it all the way to the right and then lift the hood. Whatever you do, don’t try to force it open directly—I once got impatient and nearly broke the latch. Once the hood is open, there’s an L-shaped metal rod on the upper left side. Insert it into the hole on the inner side of the hood to secure it, or it might suddenly slam down while you're working, which would be terrifying. Toyota’s design here is pretty thoughtful—the double-locking mechanism gives peace of mind.

I've seen too many beginners who don't know how to open the hood during at 4S shops. The operation for the Levin is actually quite simple: First, sit in the car, and at the very bottom of the dashboard near your left foot, there's a handle with an engine icon. Pull it firmly until you hear the unlocking sound. Second, go to the front of the car. There's a V-shaped opening at the center of the hood's front edge. Reach in to feel a horizontal lever—the direction to flip it varies by model, but most Levins require pushing it all the way to the right. When lifting the hood, use your palm to support the center and apply even force. A common mistake beginners make is using excessive force on one side, which can deform the hinges. Make sure the support rod clicks securely into place with a clear 'click' sound. Lastly, be gentle in winter as plastic parts become brittle—avoid using too much force.

Last week, I taught my neighbor's younger sister how to open the hood of her family's Levin, and it was easier than I thought. The release handle inside the car is located at the lower left corner of the steering wheel, a bit hidden—you'll need to look down to find it. After pulling it, the hood will pop up a gap about two fingers wide. When standing at the front of the car, be careful not to bend over too quickly to avoid bumping your forehead. Reach your right hand into the gap, and about half a palm's depth toward the car emblem, you'll feel the latch. For most models, you need to pull it toward the driver's side. When lifting the hood, use your left hand to steady it. If the girl isn't strong enough, she can tiptoe and use her shoulder to help. The key point is to make sure the rubber cap at the end of the support rod aligns with the metal socket inside the hood. Once, I didn't align it properly, causing the rod to slip off. For safety, wait five minutes after turning off the engine before opening the hood.

With twenty years of experience running an auto repair shop, I can operate the Corolla's hood structure blindfolded. The cabin release lever is located about ten centimeters above the brake pedal, and pulling it at a 45-degree angle with a firm grip works best. After releasing the first latch of the hood, crouch in front of the bumper, reach in above the radiator grille, and use your index finger to feel for the second latch's release lever near the radiator support frame—it's about the size of a thumb. The key technique is to slide the lever sideways with your fingertip rather than pressing it, while gently lifting the hood with your other hand to relieve tension. Toyota's latch mechanism is quite precise; if the lever gets stuck, don't force it—just spray some WD-40 for lubrication. Finally, make sure the support rod is inserted completely vertically into the positioning hole.

After comparing the models from the top three Japanese brands, the hood design of the Leiling is quite user-friendly. The release handle is located on the left side of the steering column, making it easy for female owners to pull. When operating the hood, be mindful of its temperature—metal edges can get hot after summer sun exposure. I prefer wearing work gloves: hook the edge with the thumb and index finger, then use the middle and ring fingers to flip open the secondary latch. Pay close attention to the latch mechanism; if the spring lacks tension, it indicates is needed. The support rod should be wiped clean of dust and oil monthly to prevent sticking. Here’s a fun fact: the textured bumps on the latch are designed for anti-slip grip, especially useful when handling with wet hands. For safety, wait until the cooling fan stops after turning off the engine before opening the hood.


