How to Open the Hood on a Mercedes to Check Oil and Fluids
Regular Mercedes-Benz maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle running optimally as it gets older. Part of this routine is to check your vehicle's essential fluids, such as the engine oil, coolant, and washer fluid. If you’re here to learn how to open the hood on a Mercedes, this guide from Arrowhead Imports provides simple, step-by-step instructions to help you open your engine compartment with ease.
Assembling Your Equipment
It pays to be prepared before starting. While no special tool is needed to open the hood of a Mercedes, being prepared with a clean, lint-free cloth or some gloves will enable you to keep your hands grime-free. This comes in handy if the engine bay is dirty or if you're also inspecting the fluid levels immediately after opening the hood.
Location of the Interior Hood Release Lever
To open your Mercedes hood, the first step is to locate the release lever within the cabin. On the vast majority of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, this lever will be off to the left, close to the bottom of the dashboard, on the driver-side. Look to the left of the steering column, around where your left knee would be sitting. It will be usually red in color and also has an image depicting a car with the hood up.
Give the lever a firm pull towards yourself. You will hear a definitive "pop" noise that comes from the front of the car, indicating the main latch has been loosened. This is a crucial first step in the process to Mercedes open hood safely.
Opening the Hood from the Outside
Once your lever is pulled in the interior, the hood should be opened partway, although not all the way. There is still a second safety latch that keeps the hood from flying open as you're driving. To open it, go to the front of your Mercedes and reach up under the center section of the hood, just above the grille. You should be able to feel a small lever or tab.
On most vehicles, this lever must be pushed to the other side or pulled up to fully release the latch. Working the second latch, you're also able to open the hood itself by reaching up with your other hand. These steps will help you efficiently open a hood on a Mercedes when routine checks are needed.
Securing the Hood with the Prop Rod
Once the hood is opened, you must hold it secure in the open position. A majority of the Mercedes-Benz cars come with hydraulic struts that will keep the hood open automatically once you open it beyond a specific point. Raise the hood completely, and the struts will kick in, keeping it firm in place.
If your car employs the use of a manual prop rod, release it from the holder and push the other end into the special slot on the bottom of the hood to hold it open securely.
How to Properly Close the Hood
Once your fluids are inspected, closing the hood is as big a deal as opening the hood. Lower the hood so that it is nearly to the closing point, about a foot. From this point, release it, and it will be securely locked into position with a positive-sounding click. Never slam the hood shut to close it, as this can dent the aluminum panel. As a double check that it is locked, attempt to lift the front section of the hood. If it doesn't budge, it is locked securely.
Keeping Your Mercedes-Benz at the Optimal Level
Checking your car fluids is a quick and important task that car owners need to be familiar with. Following these easy steps, you'll be an expert at opening up the hood on your Mercedes-Benz, so that you're ready to do the regular checks that are required to keep your car running optimally.
For residents with a Mercedes-Benz in Peoria, Arizona, staying proactive with vehicle care is especially important. But, if, as a precaution, you're ever on the fence or see something that doesn't look right, the safest bet is to check your owner's manual or speak to a qualified Mercedes-Benz mechanic at Arrowhead Imports.
