To open the hood on a Volvo, you have to pull the hood release lever under the dashboard to the lower left of your steering wheel. Then, you’ll have to release the hood latch under the hood by turning the lever counterclockwise.

Even if you aren’t a DIY mechanic doing your own

oil changes

, you’ll probably need to pop your Volvo’s hood eventually. After all, you might want to refill your

washer fluid

yourself or

jumpstart your battery

. If you’ve never opened your hood, though, it might take some time to figure it out.

Luckily, we’re here to guide you through opening your Volvo’s hood. We’ve included where to find the release levers, how to use them, what to do if they don’t work, and whether your

car insurance

might cover the repair.

MORE:

How to lower your Volvo insurance costs

Where is the hood release on a Volvo?

For the most part, the hood release on Volvo models can be found under the dashboard to the lower left of the steering wheel.

The hood release lever isn’t easy to find since it’s usually out of your line of sight, but for most Volvos, it’s a small lever with an icon of a car with a popped hood on it near the brake pedal.

That’s not the only lever you need to know the location of, though—you’ll also have to use a secondary hood release handle, which is on the outside of the car. If you’re standing in front of your Volvo, this handle is located above the grille and the hood opening. If you have trouble finding it, it’s sometimes easier to feel around for it instead. This handle is what releases the hood safety latch.

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How to open the hood on a Volvo

After you know where the hood release levers are, opening the hood of your Volvo is easy. Here’s what to do:

Pull the primary hood release lever on the inside of your Volvo. Make sure to listen for the sound of the hood popping open.

On the outside of your Volvo, feel around under the popped hood for the secondary release lever. It’s often located slightly to the right of the center. on some Volvo models, it’s shaped more like a switch.

Pull this lever or switch, usually to the right (or counterclockwise). This will release the hood safety latch.

If your Volvo has a pneumatic hood, it will stay open on its own. If not, you’ll lift the hood up and look for the prop rod to pull out. Once located, insert the tip of the prop rod into the designated notch on the bottom side of your hood.

With your car hood open and propped, you can get started on your maintenance task or check out that weird sound you’ve been hearing. But if your hood release lever doesn’t work how it should, you’ll have to go a different route.

What if the hood release latch doesn’t work?

If you pull the hood release latch and don’t hear that “pop” of the hood opening, you may be looking at a faulty hood latch or broken release cable. You’ll still be able to open your Volvo’s hood, but it won’t be as easy. In fact, you’ll need the assistance of a flathead screwdriver and a flashlight.

If your hood has popped up enough for you to locate the hood latch, use your screwdriver to release the hood latch manually. But if your hood won’t open at all, don’t force it—otherwise, you’ll have more to repair than just your release cable!

MORE:

Does car insurance cover repairs?

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How to repair the Volvo hood release

If you’ve realized you need to replace your

Volvo hood latch

, this is a job best left to the professionals. These repairs can be tricky to complete, so it’s not the best time to try your DIY skills.

The cost for this repair will depend on your specific Volvo model. If your Volvo is still under warranty, you may not have to pay anything! If not, you can expect this repair to cost anywhere from $175 to $350—but that depends on where you live and what kind of repair shop you go to.

Volvo dealerships may be a bit pricier since they’ll use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) auto parts, which won’t be an issue if you have

OEM coverage

on your car insurance policy. If you don’t, you can probably shave off part of your bill by going to an independent mechanic.

If your hood latch was damaged in a car accident, the repair might be covered by your

collision coverage

policy. Without this coverage, however, you’ll have to cover the cost of the repair out of pocket.

MORE:

Are Volvos expensive to maintain?

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