Question: I’ve been driving my new Mercedes for a few weeks, and I just got a notification saying my washer fluid is low. I want to refill it, but I’ve never had to do it before, and I don’t know how to get to the reservoir. How do I pop the hood on my Mercedes?
Answer: We’ve all been there—it’s time for some routine maintenance on your new ride, but when you go to open the hood, you’re not sure what to do.
To pop the hood on a Mercedes, you’ll need to find the hood release lever near the driver’s side door.
Here’s how to get that Mercedes hood open
- Step 1: Open the driver’s side door. The hood release will always be on this side of the car.
- Step 2: Locate the hood release lever. In some Mercedes models, the hood release lever will be on the lower left door frame. But in most newer models, you’ll find the red hood release lever on the dashboard below and slightly to the left of the steering wheel. You may have to crouch down beside the car to see it.
- Step 3: Pull the release lever. You should hear a click or a pop when the hood releases. If you don’t hear it, you may need to pull the lever again.
- Step 4: Find the exterior release latch. The hood won’t be fully opened after you pull the interior release latch—you’ll need to go around to the front of the car and locate the exterior release latch. Some Mercedes models have a release latch on the grill of the car, while others have a release latch inside the hood.
- Step 5: Pull or press the exterior release latch. Some latches need to be pulled or pressed upward to release the hood, while others need to be pressed sideways. Try both ways, but don’t force the latch—if you’re not sure which way to press it, check your owners manual.
The hood struts should hold the hood open so you can access the engine compartment for minor tasks like changing the washer fluid or checking the oil. But if you need to access something near the back of the engine bay—or you just want a little more room—you can open the hood into the “service position” by following these steps:
- Ask a friend for help: This is safer if you use two people. Have one person hold the hood open while the other person moves the strut supports.
- Lower the hood slightly: The hood should not be in the fully-opened position.
- Press the metal latch near the hood hinge: Be careful not to pinch your fingers as you feel for the latch. It will be located just inside the engine compartment near the hinge where the hood opens and closes. Press this in while the other person supports the hood.
- Have the other person open the hood all the way. Once you press the latch, the other person should push the vehicle’s hood up as far as it can go without forcing it. They should feel the safety latch engage, but have them release the hood carefully to be sure.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Shannon Martin is a licensed insurance agent and insurance writer with 18 years of experience in the industry. She specializes in car, homeowners, and umbrella insurance and ensures readers can trust content for accuracy and usefulness. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, Shannon was a founding member of Jerry’s customer response team, building on her 14 years of experience as an insurance professional at GEICO and The Hartford.
