Drove w/hood unlatched
 

This was stupid: I pulled into the gas station yesterday, opened the gas cap door and unlatched the hood, as I planned on checking the oil after filling up. Except it suddenly got very snowy and very windy (snow squall), so I didn't check the oil. Drove off with the hood unlatched.

No, it never popped up. I drove maybe a mile before getting on the highway when, going 60mph, I noticed the hood moving up and down a little. Pulled over and fully closed it.

So... think I did any damage to the hood, latch or hinges? It closed normally and seems ok. But I'm anal... and paranoid.

should be fine.

should be ok!

Should have titled it "My 8 Tried To Kill Me!!!" to get more replies.






oh, OT - can't imagine you'd do much damage if you latched it quick, but that's just my guess.

I did that with my celica a couple years ago. Got on the highway and saw it bumping up and down. But it was just fine and now I don't do that anymore.

I did this once for the exact same reason. I never noticed it was unlatched till the next morning. Everything was fine as far as I could tell and the fitment is still excellent. Front of the car is so sloped that it would probably take a lot for the air to lift it.

hood should be fine.
Mine had the hood snapped back about a year ago. I popped the hood, wind GUSTED, BAM!!!!!!!!!!! :banghead:

I saw this happen to a Jeep once, except the hinges weren't even screwed-on. The hood lifted up about 40 feet the air, flipped-over, and came down behind the jeep. There was even a loud "whoosh" sound as it happened. Fortunately there were no cars behind the Jeep! I laughed for half an hour.

one thing I like about the hood is that you dont need to lift it up and then let go; forcing the momentum of the hood itself to shut the latch completely.

all we need to do it set it down, and give it a little push till you hear the "click".
:)

Years ago, I did this in my 84 Maxima on a cross-country drive. It had been raised above the latch with the intent to check oil after fueling. On the on-ramp at about 60 mph, it was mayday, mayday, mayday, as the hood popped fully open! (I-80 in Ohio in case anyone cares.)

I used the gap in the middle of the hood, as well as the side windows to get back on the shoulder. It survived without any apparent damage. I'd have to hope that the 8 is built equally as well.

agreed ....:lol:

it happens.

Thanks, everyone!
(And hey, nice to know the 8's hood will stay down—even unlatched—at 60 mph in 30 mph wind gusts.)

Another ten and you were likely decapitated! :uhh:

this happened to me at a pca event, except i did check the oil but forgot to full close it as someone came up to me for a question.

luckily a buddy of mine in grid noticed it and had one of the 'stewards' close it for me.

i don't even wanna imagine having it slightly open like that doing 130mph...

I use to drive on the freeway with my hood unlached. You would not believe how many people would pull up next to me on the street, honk or wave at me just to tell me my hood is up! lol

ah.. I can believe it.

Also, if I ever left my hood open and drove a mile I would sell the car.

been there done that, no problems with my hood.

You're fine

You have my words :lol:

Just dont do it again :) Cuz We need more NYC 8 drivers :)

I take that comment back it was not "unlached" to the point where you can lift my hood with your hand but it was "pop up" so to speak.

I can do you guys one better. I am a member of the C5 corvette flying roof club :banghead:

Go out to get in the car on a summer night. Had the targa off, but its gotten cool out. So I take the top out of the trunk and while getting it settled into place a couple of guys walk over to admire my car and talk cars. 20 minutes later I pull out and accelerate to about 60 when "WHOOOOSH!" Takes me a good 5 seconds of pure shock to take in what just happened. Top flew right off.

Pretty embarrasing to have to turn around pull off the road and retrieve the top to your corvette from the middle of a 6 lane highway :icon_no2:

^Wow! that sucked

rofl!! Yup, but then, you still have a vette. ;)

I get all :eyetwitch whenever someone closes my hood by dropping it rather then gently shutting it with their hand. Then again I've heard of many people who have put dents in their car by pushing down on the hood really hard to make it latch. :icon_no2:

No flying hood stories...yet. Have left the trunk open on my old honda before and had it pop up when i stopped at a light.

I do that all the time. No biggie.
To close the hood, you should always drop it from about 14 inches up.
Pushing it down will eventually distort it.