Have you ever thought of the worst scenario where the hood of your car opens while driving at high speed?
It is clearly a dangerous situation where your visibility is blocked and you have to control your car while driving with hood open.
What is the mechanism behind the hood latch system?
The hood of your car shields the engine and it is kept down by a latch. Most of the modern hoods are designed with a double latch system to provide extra safety to avoid popping open while driving.
- In the interior of the car, right down the steering wheel there is a latch which is used to open the hood. Pulling this latch slightly pops up the hood.
- Additionally a safety feature has placed underneath the front of the hood in the exterior of the car, a secondary latch which can completely open the hood.
What may causes the hood to pop open while driving?
- Hood latch is prone to wear and tear and can break after a period of time as it is placed in the exterior of the car.
- Secondary hood latch might seize up and not released properly, resulting the hood to pop open as the hood may not close properly.
- Part of the hood latch system is the cable and if the cable starts seizing, the hood will not open or close properly.
- Accidently opening the hood latch from inside by the driver, might cause the hood to pop up while driving at very high speed in the freeways. (may depend on the condition of the secondary latch)
What measures will be taken if the hood pops open while driving?
While you are driving if your hood pops open accidently and obstructs your view then follow the below safety steps
- Slow down ‘slowly’ and try looking underneath the hood.
- If you cannot still see, head out driver’s side window to look around.
- Alarm other drivers with your hazard lights ON.
- Slowly and safely pull off the side of the road.
- Shut the hood.
If you got stuck at the side of the road, unable to shut the hood, do not try to drive the car with the hood open. Call road side assistance or recovery.
What are the preventive measures that can be taken to avoid opening the hood while driving?
- Secondary latch works with a tension spring, which should be kept lubricated regularly to lengthen its lifespan.
- Make sure the hood latch system is inspected during your periodic maintenance service for your safety while driving.
- Scan your dashboard for any warning signs showing ‘hood open’ (shown on the picture above).
Also always remember the golden rule of driving ‘Maintain the safe driving distance’ to avoid any above hazards caused by the fellow vehicles.
For all services, repairs and body shop needs of your car , drop a visit to our garage, Al Nahdha Auto Garage at Ras-al-Khor in Dubai