Tonight I decided to just pop the hood and clean some water spots off the radiator cover. When i went to close the hood it was a bit difficult and I had to bring the hood down to the latch and then press down with both hands - with some force. is this normal for a new car?

 

Mine is the same way, i wonder if it can be adjusted?

 

I do not push on the hood.....may cause dents. I hold mine about 12-18" from the latch and drop it.....closed and latched. This has been done on our '00, '07, and now the '11. Never had any damage that way.

 

If you can do that, I agree the best way.

 

I don't push on it, but dropping it from height seems excessive.

 

Same here.

 

Always drop it. Never push. With all hoods it's a good safe practice to follow.

 

The hood fits tight, as stated above just drop it to close it, it was the same way on my 06 and my 11.

 

I have to push it.

 

Of course you do.

 

It does not hurt a thing to drop the hood to close it. The worst thing you can do is press it down with your hands unless you like dents. In cases where it is just stubborn to latch when you drop it, the latch may need to be loosened and adjusted upwards then retightened.

 

Hood struts

 

A-ha! And there it is.

Didn't care for the 19th century prop rod I see.

 

all of my new mustang have had to be big drop to latch. My 06 07 08 09 10 12.

 

The drop distance of my hood is a guess as I did not measure it. I have hood struts so the drop distance is at the point where they are not providing lift.

If you change the snug fit to much, the car may develop hood flutter at higher speeds.

 

Adjusting the hood bumpers at the front corners will allow the hood to close easier.

These round rubber bumpers screw in and out-if the hood locks with difficulty-screw these bumpers counterclockwise slightly-and trial test the hood closing. If still difficult-do some more counterclockwise adjustment.

This should had been done at the factory-but my 2001 Mustang had to have the same adjustment.

 

I've always pushed my hoods down. Never had an issue with that. But i make absolutely sure to press down in the center near the nose. Hood is stronger there not to mention that's where the latch is.