I notice that i can't lower the hood softly then try pressing it down to lock.

I notice that with many cars today including the Lexus IS when i was test driving it last year before i chose the TL.

SO with that said, i drop the hood until the air is out of those hydraulic pump things then i use my fingers and while i'm letting go of the hood i'm pushing down with a bit of force.

is this even the proper way to close the hood?

Thanks.

 

actually the dampers close the hood for you, just put it down half way and let it drop down alone, you will hear a nice smooth clap close

 

Drop from two feet and let it slam

 

Just bring the hood down to about a foot or two above the latch and let it drop. Car manufacturers know some owners will slam their hoods shut from the full open position so they design the hoods to handle the abuse; a 1 foot drop is no big deal.

 

Is there really a proper way to close the hood? I usually slowly put the hood down until it meets the latch and push down with a little bit of force and that usually closes the hood. I do the same thing with my 95 honda accord. Is that a wrong way to close the hood? I don't feel comfortable dropping the hood from 1 feet above and let it slam. just my

 

Just drop the hood, as you'll find some cars have a lightweight aluminum hood, and just pushing on the hood can cause it to distort. Also you'll keep the grease from you fingers off the paint.

 

And I noticed that all of us who said "just drop it" are over 40 years old, except for stillhere.

 

Interesting. I have always (previously) droppd the hood from just a few inches with a bit of a little push. On my new TL-S, the latch would not catch. I didn't want to slam it, but had to drop it from a foot or two to get it closed.

I noticed my hood gaps were off very slightly and thought that was the problem. I was going to ask the dealer the next time I was there.

Based on what you guys are saying, I have no problem? This is normal?

 

I'm sure most of us ole geezers have dented a hood or two in our life time from closing the hood gently. Learn from our msitakes so you won't have to learn first hand.

 

well I am obsessed with windshield whiper fluid... in 4 months I've gone by 2 gallons so I have some experience refilling it... and I noticed on my second close that the dampers actually bring the hood peacefully closed and secured

 

Don't push it; you'll dent it.

As others have said: I use the oval shaped hole to the right of the latch UNDER the hood, inside, pull it down to about 18" then let it slam gently.