When you need to change the oil on your car engine, but can't find the mechanism to open the hood, every little maintenance work becomes a source of frustration. With a few simple tricks and a little patience, a stuck hood can usually be opened quickly. However, there are far worse situations where you have to tinker for a long time. Once opened, you should repair or address the cause of the problem before closing the hood again.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Bypassing the Cable or Malfunctioning Latch
Step 1. Press the hood down while operating the release lever located inside the cockpit
If the cable connecting this control to the latch is sticky or too long, then it is unable to open the latch. Most vehicles are designed to snap the cable as soon as it is pressed on the front of the hood. Do this while a helper operates the inner lever. If this method is successful, then the hood will open slightly and you can fully raise it after unlocking the outer hook.
Step 2. Pull the cable from the inside
Look for it under the dashboard, near the internal release lever. Gently tug it and see what happens:
- If the hood opens, then the cable may be too long or it may have come off. Try to adjust it to its front end or replace it if it is damaged. In rare cases the problem could be the internal lever that has broken.
- If you do not feel any tension, then the cable is no longer connected to the front retainer. In this case, read the next step. Once you have managed to open the engine compartment, check if you can re-attach the cable or if it is broken and needs to be replaced.
Step 3. Locate the release control through the front grille
At this point, you need to reach the latch or cable from another angle. If you're lucky, you can see the catch through the front radiator grille. Grab a flashlight and small mirror to inspect the area until you see a small hook-shaped element.
Alternatively, the latch could be accessible from the front fender on the driver's side. In many cars, such as Hondas, the release cable runs through the entire space of the inner fender. Simply remove this element by detaching the clips that hold it in place to gain access to the cable. Pull the cable and open the hood; this method works only if the cable is connected to the front latch
Step 4. Engage the latch with a thin tool
Once you have located the external locking mechanism, try to reach it with a long tool like a screwdriver. If the grille slots are small, take a metal coat hanger. Try to hook the mechanism and yank it.
You can also remove the external grill for direct access. Depending on the car model, it may be cheaper to replace a non-detachable grille than it may be for a mechanic to unlock the hood
Step 5. Try to fix the problem from under the hood
If you can't reach the opening mechanism from the front, then your last chance is to access the engine compartment from underneath, reach for the hook, or fumble over the cable with a pair of pliers. The operation will be much easier if you lift the car following the instructions in the owner's manual.
- Warning: if the engine has recently been switched off, wait for it to cool down before accessing it.
- If you don't achieve the desired results, take the car to a mechanic. Removing the front bumper is far more expensive than repairing.
Method 2 of 2: Open a Locked Hood
Step 1. Park the vehicle
Stop on a level surface and set the parking brake. If possible, park the car at home or in a workshop. In the event that you are unable to solve the problem on the spot, you will not have to close the hood again to take the car to a mechanic.
Step 2. Find the hood opening mechanism
If you are not very familiar with your car, check inside the cabin, under the steering wheel, near the driver's side door or in the corner near the glovebox. These are the most likely places for the hood release lever to be installed.
- Some rather old cars only have an opening mechanism on the outside of the cockpit. In this case, look for the lever under the front edge of the hood.
- If you have been locked out of the cockpit, skip to this section which tells you how to open the hood without operating the internal mechanism.
Step 3. Check the internal lever
When the opening mechanism works correctly, the hood should lift slightly. If you've heard a noise, but the hood hasn't moved, then it's likely stuck. Go to the next step to learn how to fix this problem. If you have not heard anything, then the problem could be with the cable or the latch mechanism. In this case, read this section of the article.
If the hood opens partially, all you have to do is press the external latch located at the front of the car. It is usually located in the center or on one side of the hood and needs to be pushed down or to the side
Step 4. Hit the hood to unlock it
Stand outside near the driver's seat and operate the internal release mechanism. With your other hand, hit the hood with your palm open. If you're lucky, the hood might just take a shake and this trick might work.
Be careful not to dent the bodywork. You need to apply some force, but keep your hand open
Step 5. Try to open the hood with the help of another person
Ask a friend to pull the lever inside the cockpit and hold it in this position. You must stand in front of the car and raise the hood slowly, but with constant traction. If the problem is caused only by the presence of rust and dirt, this could solve it. If the hood doesn't give, don't force it.
Step 6. Run the engine for a few minutes in cold weather
Cold and frost can block the hood and "stick" it to the body. Let the engine idle for a few minutes to thaw these items and then try to open the hood again.
If you don't get the desired results, then the problem could be with the cable or the latch. Move on to the next section to find solutions
Step 7. Check the latch after opening the hood
Once you have managed to open the engine compartment, check that there are no broken elements in the locking mechanism and that the release cable is not frayed. If not, you will need to replace it. If you don't notice any noticeable malfunctions, then grease all parts of the closure with a low viscosity lubricant.
- It is worth greasing the release cable with a spray lubricant. Insert the straw of the nozzle into the end of the cable between it and the outer sheath. Wrap the area with a cloth and spray the lubricant.
- Do not use a silicone product in the engine compartment, as it can contaminate the oxygen sensors and affect the performance of the engine.
Advice
- If you can't fix a malfunctioning cable right away, tie a string around the latch before closing the hood.
- In most cases the hood cannot stay open on its own. Once opened, insert the support rod into the special housing.
- In older cars the hood may be hinged at the front and simply pops up.
- An accident could cause the locking mechanism to slip and prevent it from functioning properly. To fix it, you may have to manually adjust the latch; only proceed if you are sure it is in the wrong position.
Warnings
- Always check that you have closed the hood securely before driving. If it is not well fixed, it could open with the vehicle in motion due to aerodynamic forces. In this case it would obstruct the driver's view or could even detach completely at high speeds.
- When working on the car, always keep the keys in your pocket, so no one can take it away or start the engine during repairs. At the same time, this simple precaution will prevent you from being locked out of the car with the keys inside.
