How to Open Acura Hood
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Need to open your Acura hood to check your vehicle’s maintenance fluids? Follow these simple procedures below to access your Acura’s engine bay.
At a Glance
- Step 1: Pull the hood release under the dash on the driver’s side
- Step 2: Release the secondary safety latch under the front edge of the hood
- Step 3: Lift the hood; use the prop rod if your model has one
- Dead battery: Use the metal key in the fob to open the driver’s door
- Fits: Most Acura models, including TL, TLX, TSX, ILX, MDX, RDX and RLX
Procedure on How to Open Acura Hood
- Open the driver’s door. If the car battery is dead, manually remove the metal key from your key fob and open the door.
Pull the hood release under the dash. The hood release is under the dashboard on the driver’s side.
Here is the location of the hood release on a 2016 Acura TLX, which may apply to many other models. The hood release is below the fuel and the trunk release/lever.
Go to the front of the car, feel under the front edge of the hood for the secondary safety latch, push it to the side and lift the hood. If your Acura has a hood prop rod, place it in the correct location. Most Acuras have hood lifts to help keep the hood upright.
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This guide provides instructions on opening the hood on Acura vehicles, including the TL, CL, RL, TSX, RDS, ILX, TLX, RLX, MDX, and ZDX.
Opening the hood on an Acura takes only a few minutes. The hood release is under the dashboard on the driver’s side, to the left of your gas and brake pedal.
For more help, check these troubleshooting and repair guides for your Acura vehicle.
Hood Will Not Open?
- Release lever feels loose: the cable may be stretched, broken or disconnected from the lever. Have a helper pull the lever while you press down on the hood above the latch.
- Hood pops up but will not lift: you have not released the secondary safety latch under the front edge.
- Lever is stiff and nothing happens: the latch may be rusted or dry. Once it is open, clean and lubricate the latch with white lithium grease.
- Hood will not stay up: the hood lift struts are worn and should be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the hood release on an Acura?
Under the dashboard on the driver’s side. On the TLX it sits below the fuel door and trunk release levers.
Why will my Acura hood not open after pulling the release?
The hood pops up first, then you must push the secondary safety latch under the front edge before it will lift.
What if the Acura hood release cable is broken?
Have a helper press down on the hood while you pull, or reach the latch from below to release it. A shop can replace the cable.
Why will my Acura hood not stay up?
The hood lift struts are worn and no longer support the hood. Replace them.
Related Guides
- How to Fix Your Acura Hood When it Won’t Stay Open: Easy DIY Guide
- How to Open Acura Door Get Inside Car With Dead Battery
I Pull the release side the car fine. I cannot get the hood open. Do I push the lever,under the hood, pull it? I have tried everything but can’t get the hood to release on my Acura CL.