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How do you adjust a car hood?

I just bought a used car and have noticed the hood needs to be adjusted slightly. How can I adjust it?

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Will Baldwin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congrats on the new car! Luckily adjusting a hood is fairly simple, but moving a hood around can be awkward because of its size, so be careful!
To adjust it, follow these steps:
  • Slightly loosen the bolts on the hood’s bracket using a ratchet and socket. Be sure you’re loosening the bolts on the hood and not the bolts on your car.
  • Now, gently close the hood to see how it lines up with each fender. There should be equal gaps on each side.
  • If you notice it’s uneven, push the hood down while the bolts are loosened to even out the gap.
  • Once it looks even, you can tighten the bolts.
  • Close the hood and make sure it latches.
If it does, you should be good to go!
Something else that could be useful to protect your new car is a roadside assistance membership. The
Jerry
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To find out if you’re eligible, you can check the app or call one of our friendly agents. You may qualify for a special rate of $50 for your first year!
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