how do you open a car bonnet

That moment when you need to check your oil or top up your washer fluid can be a little daunting if you’re not sure where to start. It all begins with gaining access under the hood, a task that seems simple but can vary slightly from car to car. Knowing the basic steps for how to open a car bonnet is an essential piece of knowledge for any driver, ensuring you can handle basic maintenance and checks with confidence.

The First Step: Locating the Interior Release Lever

Before you can pop the bonnet, you need to find the lever inside your car’s cabin. This is usually located on the driver’s side, down near the footwell. It’s often a brightly coloured handle, typically yellow or red, and might have a small icon of an open bonnet on it. Give it a firm, steady pull. You’ll hear a distinct clunk or pop sound, which means the primary latch has been released. The bonnet will now be slightly ajar, but it won’t open fully just yet.

How Do You Open a Car Bonnet Completely?

Now, walk to the front of your vehicle. You’ll see the bonnet is slightly raised. Slide your fingers into the gap that has been created. Your mission is to find the secondary safety catch. This is a small lever, usually in the centre of the bonnet’s opening mechanism. While gently lifting the bonnet with one hand, feel for this lever with the other. It might be a button you need to press or a handle you need to squeeze or slide to the side. Once you activate this safety catch, you can lift the bonnet fully open.

Securing the Bonnet While You Work

An open bonnet is heavy, and you don’t want it falling on your head. Thankfully, every car has a built-in support rod. Locate this metal rod, usually clipped to one side of the engine bay. Unclip it and slot its end into the designated hole on the underside of the bonnet. This will hold it securely in place while you check your oil, coolant, or washer fluid levels. Some newer cars feature a gas strut that holds the bonnet up automatically, eliminating the need for a manual rod altogether.

When you’re finished, it’s just as simple to close up. Carefully lift the bonnet slightly to release the support rod, stow it back in its clip, and then lower the bonnet. From a height of about a foot, let it drop to latch securely. Always give the centre of the bonnet a gentle push to double-check it’s fully closed before you drive away.