In today’s fast-paced world, we want things done fast and as conveniently as possible and that includes servicing our cars. Most modern cars can go longer durations between recommended or required services. Extended service intervals, however, can make for some things being overlooked. Even your local service center may overlook some of the long-time basics due to time constraints. Often, the hood hinges of your vehicle get overlooked in the quest to get things done quickly
While hood hinges may seem trivial, they’re just one – or two – of hundreds, even thousands of parts that your car is made up of and they should get the same attention that other parts do when it comes to service and maintenance. Without adequate lubrication, over time, the hood hinges can squeak or creak when you open the hood. Increased friction can cause the hinge pivot points to wear out prematurely and cause issues like hood misalignment.
Part 1 of 1: Lubricate the hood hinges
Materials Needed
- All-purpose cleaner or degreaser
- Paper towels or shop rag
- White lithium grease – spray can with attachable pin-point nozzle
Step 1: Locate the hood release and open the hood. On modern cars, the hood release is usually located inside the car, on the driver’s side, either in the lower dashboard area under the steering column, or close to the driver’s door hinge where your left foot rests while you’re driving.
With older cars, the hood release is most likely located outside the car either just above or below the front bumper.
Step 2: Find the secondary release. Most cars have a secondary hood latch so once you pull the hood release, the hood will pop up by a couple of inches. Once it does, feel around under the edge of the hood for the secondary release.
It will rotate one way or the other, either left or right, or up and down. Once you release the secondary latch, pull up on the hood at the same time, to fully open it.
Step 3: Clean the hinge pivot points. Spray some all-purpose cleaner or degreaser directly on the hinge pivot points and wipe them clean with a rag.
It’s best to remove any old, residual lubrication as it will attract dirt and debris over time.
Step 4: Lube the hinges. Insert the pin-point nozzle into the spray button on top of the white lithium grease spray can. Apply a few short bursts of white lithium grease to the hinge pivot points and then slowly work the hood up and down.
Do not close the hood completely or latch it, just work it up and down slowly so that you cover the hood’s full extension, both opened and closed. This will get the grease to work into the pivot points and cover all the surfaces of each pivot point.
Step 5: Clean up. Use a clean, dry paper towel or shop towel to wipe any excess white lithium grease that may have been sprayed onto the hinges.
A clean surface is less likely to attract dirt and debris, allowing the white lithium grease to do its job by staying cleaner, longer.
Latch and close the hood of your car.
If your car needs some basic services, contact a service professional like one from YourMechanic to take care of your maintenance needs at your own convenience. One of our mobile technicians will be able to lubricate your hood hinges easily and affordably.
