Alton Brobst If you own a 2021 Subaru Forester or are considering purchasing one, one important thing you should know is how to open the hood properly. While it may seem like a simple task, it can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the specific process for this vehicle. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of opening the hood on a Subaru Forester so that you feel confident in maintaining your vehicle.
Identifying the Hood Release Lever
The first step to opening the hood on your Subaru Forester is to locate the hood release lever. This lever is typically located on the left side of the driver’s side footwell.
Locating and Pulling the Hood Release Lever
Once you’ve located the hood release lever, pull it towards you. You should hear a "click" sound, indicating that the hood has been partially released.
Finding the Secondary Safety Latch
After pulling the hood release lever, you need to locate the secondary safety latch. This latch is under the hood, near the center, and is designed to prevent the hood from accidentally opening while driving.
Releasing the Secondary Safety Latch
Once you’ve located the secondary safety latch, lift it upward or to the side, depending on your Subaru Forester’s model. This will fully release the hood, allowing you to open it.
Opening the Hood and Securing It in Place
Next, you can lift the hood upward until it stays open on its own. Your Subaru Forester may have a hood prop that you can insert into a designated hole in the engine bay that will hold the hood open for you in place. If your vehicle does not have this feature, you may need to use a third hand tool to hold the hood open so that you have both hands free for maintenance tasks.
