To properly close your car hood, make sure all lids and covers underneath are closed, and that you don’t accidentally leave some items in the engine compartment.
When closing your car hood, don’t forget to unhook the hood prop rod and fasten it to the clip. Then, carefully pull the hood down.
If your hood still won’t close securely, then the latch is likely broken. This can be a safety issue since it can blow open while driving.
Exercising care when closing the hood of your car is important in keeping it in good working condition. The hood protects the most essential components of your vehicle, which includes the engine and its many parts.
The mechanics of closing your car hood isn’t rocket science, but there is a correct way of doing it to ensure that it won’t get worn out easily and to keep everything underneath in good shape.
Closing the Hood of Your Car
The car hood acts as a cover for the front engine. Hinged onto the cowl of the vehicle, it serves as an entry point to the engine compartment. Access to this compartment is important for vehicle maintenance and for quick fixes.
A latch installed underneath secures the hood in place.
1. Check the engine compartment
When doing repairs and maintenance, make sure that you don’t accidentally leave some items in the engine compartment. Do an inventory of all the tools or used parts that were used before you close the hood.
Before closing the car hood, check to make sure all lids and covers of components inside the engine compartment are secured.
2. Make sure all covers and caps are secured
Before closing the hood, check that all the lids and covers of the components inside your engine compartment are properly attached. Make sure all of them are secured tightly to prevent leaks and other issues.
Hold the front edge of the hood with one hand, slightly push it upward, and unhook the prop rod with your other hand.
3. Unhook the rod and fasten it to the clip
Hold the front edge of the hood with one hand, slightly push it upward, and unhook the prop rod with your other hand. Lower the rod and secure it in place—there should be a small clip (the hood prop rod clip) near the front of the engine compartment.
Using a rag, remove any grease off the edge of the hood.
Lower the rod and secure it in place; there should be a small clip near the front of the engine compartment.
4. Carefully pull the hood down
With both hands, gently pull the hood down. Leave about a foot of space before dropping the hood. Make sure that it is fastened securely.
Gently pull the hood down. Leave about a foot of space before dropping the hood.
What If My Hood Won’t Close Properly?
If your hood still won’t close securely, chances are, the latch is broken. Obviously, a hood that won’t close has the potential to blow open—which makes it a safety concern.
Get the issue fixed right away by going to your trusted mechanic. Or, if you know your way around cars, just purchase a replacement hood latch and fix it yourself.
Get the Right Hood Latch For Your Vehicle
Now that you’re familiar with how to close your vehicle’s hood properly, you might need to replace your faulty hood latch. Without one, your vehicle’s hood might not be properly locked in place. In a worst-case scenario, the hood can open while traveling at high speeds and obscure your view of the road. This is incredibly dangerous, so you should replace your faulty hood latch as soon as possible.
Luckily, here at CarParts.com, we get hood latches from the most trusted aftermarket manufacturers in the industry. Each hood latch is handpicked by a team of professionals, ensuring that it will meet your vehicle’s specifications and function properly. You don’t have to worry about your hood opening abruptly anytime soon because our hood latches are built to last.
Additionally, our warehouses have been strategically built all over the US. This means you can get your order within a matter of days.
Browse our catalog of hood latches now here at CarParts.com.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
