Why can't the hood of the Roewe i5 be opened?
4 Answers
The Roewe i5 hood cannot be opened due to insufficient lubrication of the lock tooth spring. Below are the specific functions of the hood: 1. Reducing airflow impact: For objects moving at high speed in the air, the air resistance and turbulence generated around the moving object directly affect its trajectory and speed. The shape of the hood can effectively adjust the direction of airflow relative to the car's movement and the obstructive force it generates, thereby reducing the impact of airflow on the car. Through airflow guidance, air resistance can be decomposed into beneficial forces, increasing the downward force of the front tires on the ground, which enhances the car's driving stability. 2. Protecting components: Under the hood are critical components of the car, including the engine, electrical circuits, fuel system, braking system, and transmission system. These are vital to the vehicle's operation. By improving the strength and structure of the hood, it can effectively prevent adverse effects such as impacts, corrosion, rain, and electrical interference, ensuring the vehicle's normal operation.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and the issue with the Roewe i5's hood not opening is quite common. Don't panic yet. First, try pulling the hood release handle under the lower left side of the driver's seat with some force. If the cable isn't broken, you should hear a click. If the handle feels particularly loose, there's an 80% chance the cable has come off or snapped, and you'll need to replace it. If the handle moves but the hood doesn't budge at all, the latch is probably rusted shut. In this case, you'll need two people—one to pull the handle while the other presses down on the front edge of the hood to create vibrations that can free the stuck latch. This is especially common in winter when snow and rain cause water to freeze around the latch. Last time, I helped a neighbor open their hood this way at -10°C. If you still can't get it open, don't force it by prying at the edges, as this can easily bend the sheet metal and lead to costly repairs. The easiest solution is to just drive it to a repair shop.
Last month, I had a frustrating experience with my Roewe i5 where the hood just wouldn't open no matter what, and I struggled with it all afternoon. I noticed the coolant warning light came on during startup and was eager to check, but got stuck at the hood-opening step. Pulling the interior release handle with all my strength had no effect, so I suspected the mechanical lock was jammed. Later, after parking the car in a shaded area to let the metal cool and contract, I gave the front of the hood a few hard punches, then yanked the handle again, and it finally loosened. Turned out a small pebble had gotten lodged in the lock mechanism, probably kicked up during rainy driving. Since then, I've been spraying the latch with WD-40 anti-rust oil every six months, and now it opens and closes super smoothly. My advice is to first check if the release handle's travel is normal—don't try prying it open with a screwdriver, as the plastic parts are especially brittle, and damaging them could cost you 300-400 yuan to replace the entire assembly. If you're not in a hurry, try waiting half an hour after turning off a hot engine before attempting again.
Having worked in an auto repair shop for ten years, there are three main reasons why the hood of a Roewe i5 won't open: First, the hood release cable may have aged and snapped, especially in vehicles over five years old. Second, the locking mechanism could be jammed due to dust or rust, which is common in northeastern regions. Third, the latch might be misaligned after accident repairs. First, try rapidly pulling the interior release handle five or six times in succession—some latch springs are fatigued and require multiple triggers. If that doesn't work, remove the front wheel fender liner to access the cable connection point, then pull the cable directly by hand. If even this fails, it's likely a lock cylinder issue. Remember, avoid forcefully stepping on the hood—aluminum hoods dent easily and require professional tools for realignment.
