You’ve probably heard of a curious habit perpetrated by some drivers: banging on the hood of the car before hitting the road. Where can this strange practice come from? Would it be beneficial for the vehicle? So what’s behind this unusual trend? In this article we are going to shed some light on this unusual but very useful gesture that Gerard Longuet, the mechanic from my village in the Drôme, sometimes tells me about. We bet you’ll follow the motion!
Why hit the hood of the car before getting behind the wheel?
Touching the hood of the car – Source: spm
It’s clear that the custom of banging on the hood before driving is about to catch on. Especially in this winter period when the outside temperatures are very low. You are probably wondering how this gesture would be useful to you. Well, the reason is less obvious than it seems, but totally logical. It really is about animals. When it’s cold outside, all kinds of species seek potential shelter to keep warm and protect themselves from wind, rain or snow. Especially pets, like dogs and cats, who love to get under the hood of cars for protection. It’s a particularly attractive environment, especially the engine area that acts as a heater. For this reason, it is not uncommon to find one well sheltered under the body to warm up quietly or take a nap.
Therefore, before considering getting into the car, it is always necessary to do a little check to make sure there are no intruders nearby. In the morning, before going to work, it’s a good idea to knock on the hood of your car to signal your presence. Thus, the animal will understand that it is no longer alone. And if that sloth doesn’t budge, but you hear its chirp in response, it’s up to you to act more assertively to get it to move elsewhere.
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Who is hiding under the hood? Is there a risk to the car?
A cat hiding under the car – Source: spm
Unless they’re hungry martens that can cut wires with their teeth, your car probably isn’t in danger from a “visit” from these campers. Normally, by hitting the hood, these visitors are usually startled and immediately start running away from the environment. However, as a precaution, it is worth opening the hood to check if everything is still in order. Because even a small rodent can accidentally loosen an important cable in your vehicle. Therefore, it is better to remove any possible doubts.
If you are one of those callous people who do not care much about the fate of wild animals and simply refuse to kick the hood, then keep in mind that it may be your own cat under the hood or the neighbor’s. A good start could be fatal! Especially since we’re not asking you to go dead handed either. It is not about hitting the hood hard, but about patting it before getting in the car to cover any eventuality. It will not cost you much, but at the same time you will be able to especially save the life of a pet.
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Open the hood of the car – Source: spm
On most vehicles, the hood release latch is located under the driver’s side dash. That being said, its exact location may differ depending on the make and model of the car. So your best bet would be to look for a hood logo grip. Once detected, the chest will open when the wire is attached to the latch. Pull it all the way out and you should hear the hood unlock.
Also read: What should be lubricated in the car before the onset of winter? This will save you a lot of trouble.
