How to Raise a Car Hood
Before you can check the oil in your car, replenish windshield wiper fluid or jump your battery, you'll need access beneath your car's hood. Fortunately, you don't have to be an auto mechanic to learn how to raise a car hood. Most vehicles have a latch located inside, typically beneath the steering wheel and near where your left leg is positioned while driving. With a few simple steps, you can raise the hood in a minute or two.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Consult your vehicle operator's manual to determine the exact location of the hood lever inside your car. Look for a lever that will typically say "Hood" or have a drawing of a car with its hood raised. Pull the lever, which should cause your hood to spring upward about an inch or so.
-
2
Put on a pair of driving or work gloves to keep your hands from getting dirty while under the hood. Be sure the vehicle is either shut off or placed in park before going to the front of your car where the hood release latch is typically located. Reach beneath the slightly opened hood to locate the hood release latch.
-
-
3
Move the latch to one side or the other to release the hood. Lift the hood fully. Find the long metal rod equipped on most cars that is typically located near the hood release latch inside the engine compartment. Raise the rod and insert it into a slot on the bottom side of the hood to keep the hood raised safely.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check the stability of your hood shocks, which are gas-pressurized cylinders on some car models that support the hood once it is opened. Use a broom handle to prevent the hood from crashing down on you if the hood shocks do not seem secure, which could be a sign some of the gas has escaped from the shocks and they need replacing.
