Hood (car)

Hoods can open to allow access to the engine compartment, or trunk (boot in Commonwealth English) on rear-engine and some mid-engine vehicles) for maintenance and repair.

Some aftermarket companies produce replacements for steel hoods in fiberglass or carbon fiber to reduce vehicle weight.

The hood latch handle is usually located below the steering wheel, beside the driver's seat or set into the door frame.

In Japan and Europe, regulations have come into effect that place a limit on the severity of pedestrian head injury when struck by a motor vehicle.

Other changes are being made to use the hood as an active structure and push its surface several centimeters away from the hard motor components during a pedestrian crash.