Where is the front hood switch located on the Honda CR-V?
4 Answers
The front hood switch of the Honda CR-V is located on the left side under the dashboard in the driver's seat. Pull the switch to open the front hood. The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV with body dimensions of 4585mm in length, 1855mm in width, 1679mm in height, a wheelbase of 2660mm, and a curb weight of 1659kg. The front suspension of the Honda CR-V is a MacPherson independent suspension, and the rear suspension is a multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 146PS, a maximum power of 107kW, and a maximum torque of 175Nm, paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission.
After driving the CRV for so many years, I'm most familiar with the location of its front hood release. It's located below the dashboard on the driver's side, near the foot pedal area. Just reach up above your knee, and you'll feel a lever with a small car emblem—that's the release. Before every maintenance, I pull this lever first, causing the hood to pop open slightly. At this point, the front latch isn't fully released yet. You need to walk to the front center of the car, insert your fingers into the hood gap, and flip a latch to the right to fully lift the hood. When closing it, pay special attention—press down firmly on the center of the hood until you hear two distinct clicks to ensure it's securely locked. Over time, the release mechanism might get stiff, so I apply some grease to the cable every six months.
The hood release lever in my CRV is quite ergonomic, located at the bottom of the dashboard above the driver's left foot. The black handle is engraved with a hood symbol, and you can feel the spring's feedback when pulling it. Last time I added windshield washer fluid, I noticed that after pulling the lever, you need to exit the vehicle first, then reach into the area right above the front grille to touch the secondary latch and push it left. Beginners might try to lift the hood directly, but actually that latch is the key to the secondary release. When closing, make sure to properly secure the support rod - once I was in a hurry and didn't position it correctly, almost causing the hood to slam down. Now when car wash attendants handle this vehicle, I always remind them to first lock both side latches properly.
Locating the CRV's hood release is straightforward. From the driver's seat, look down near your left leg. At the very bottom of the dashboard, you'll find a textured handle with raised ridges—pull it to pop the hood open slightly. The critical step is finding the secondary release at the front: behind the central emblem on the hood. You'll need to reach into the gap to feel for a metal trigger. Last week when helping my novice neighbor refill coolant, he got stuck precisely at this hidden latch. When closing, lift the hood to chest height before releasing—letting it drop under its own weight ensures more even sealing than manual pressing. This mechanism design has been used for over a decade, though the springs tend to age and develop squeaks.
