mbuster25

Hello everyone,

I've noticed that my 2010 E350 hood does not close easily. Dropping the hood from a foot high (as instructed by the owner's manual) or so does not give enough force to close. In fact, the only way I can close it is to latch it and then press HARD down on it on both sides. Sometimes it doesn't latch completely on the drivers side and then I need to repeat.

Is your hood like this? Thanks

fs1013

Yes, mine is like this, but it's E350 Coupe.

I only realized it a couple weeks ago waiting for a red light when someone pointed my hood to me. Just the passenger side of the hood was not closed properly at the time (Damn dealer... because I just had a problem checked there and hadn't touched the hood myself). Then I found I am not able to just drop-and-close it, as all other cars I owned before. Need to push it hard as you experienced.

ash_cpe

I have the same thing, you need to press the right side to close. I think because dealers slams the hood really hard " since they don't care" so it starts having some tolerance.

konigstiger

The driver-side hood latch may catch before passenger side. This “may” resolve the matter, open and apply more force to the passenger side when closing.

madraddoc

Yup. It requires herculean force to close the hood. I've been slamming it down really, really hard. Probably not good. Seems like less chance to scratch paint than trying to press one side or the other closed.

mm9351

When I first took delivery, I naturally inspected under the hood. I believe I closed the hood at that time "gently" without noticing the passenger side did not close completely. It was during the evening hours, so the problem was not easily noticed. The following morning I noticed the tell-tale gap on RHS only, and could not get this to close no matter how much additional downward "force" was applied when closing the hood. I took it to the dealer on Sunday (yes, Sunday) and they kept it overnight, gave me a C-Class loaner to use for work on Monday. The service manager assured me that all was needed was an adjusment of the adjuster and catch. I returned Monday evening and everything was good to go. My advice, have the dealer adjust the catch and adjuster, both sides.

While I haven't had the problem since, the E350 hood still takes a bit more force to close than the one foot free-fall drop. I drop it around 2 feet and apply some extra downward force. Now it catches every time.

You probably won't need a special service appointment unless it's keeping you up at night. Otherwise just have it adjusted at your next service interval. Good luck with the repair.

Diesel Benz

The hood design appears to be different from previous models. Both the W204 and the W212 need some force to close the hood, dropping it from some distance does not work. I guess the hood latch can be adjusted to make it lock easier but I don't think one should try to make it work like with the previous models, it would become loose.

OAG

I noticed the same thing - have to "slam" the hood to get all 3 catch areas to engage. Also noticed a slight difference in left and right side of hood when looked at the side above the wheel wells. One side had a more level "gap" than the other side. That was easy to fix by just adjusting the little pad on the frame area below the hood on the side that need adjusting. Odd that the hood, if all three catches do not engage, does not cause a warning in the spedo like leaving a door unlatched.

Ninjaryder

The car does have a warning in the speedo if not all catches on the hood are latched. I found this out the 1st day of ownership from closing the hood gently. I called the dealer & was informed that the hood takes more force than most cars to get both sides to latch.

rob13572468

yep, every 204/212 i have ever worked on has the same issue... you basically have to "slam" the hood down from about the 1 foot mark... if you just drop the hood one of the latches will not catch. I have also seen lots of dented hoods because the owner tries to push down on the hood to get the latch to catch.

Herbal_Incense

i normally close my hoods with both hands fingers spread out and press it down firmly.. i did this to the e350 and it did not closed.. the driver side of the hood was sticking up about 1/2 inch. Trick is (if your not a slammer) press firmly directly on top of the two outside latches at the same time. Should close perfectly..

blackbullit

I have an E550 and mine was like this from the factory. I corrected the resistance by lubricating the latches and the hinges with grease.

Now it is much easier to close, but as Herbal Incense said, requires pushing down over both latches with your hands when you shut the hood. My 2002 E320 also required this hood closure method.

syrAMG

I too had the problem with the hood being slightly open on one side.

I've noticed that several people complain the drivers side, while others like myself have the issue on the passenger side. (assuming we all have left hand drive)

I've tried the "force" closing from the center, but never really worked out.
The Latches on the hood are located on either ends of the grill.

Closing it firmly with hands above the latch area, will close it seamlessly.

threeMBs

Have same problem. I usually slam it hard while pressing over both latches.

Arrie

I close mine by slightly slamming it from about 1 ft height. I do this from the middle of the hood where the star used to be. I have a flat badge, which is perfect for hood closing, no finger prints or dents on the hood.

I would not try to press it at latch locations. It is meant to be "slammed".

BudC

The new cars are designed to meet a German safety regulation that requires the hood to slide to the rear and pop up in the back if they hit a pedestrian.

I read that the procedure to close these types of hoods is to press equally down and back on both sides of the front of the hood. You have to do this forcefully.

This should close the hood evenly. Otherwise, you are gonna have a problem.

listerone

I've found it takes concerted effort and concentration (and a bit of muscle) to close the hood properly.In the early days of my Bluetec I noticed that the hood didn't seem right and it turned out that I hadn't closed it fully.

listerone

I'd love to get rid of the star...where did you get you flat badge? Does it fit properly or are there gaps?

Tjdehya

Its takes left/right coordination and considerable force to close mine. I had the same issue with me previous W212, my W211 wasnt like this.

shams51

i had the same issue tonight with my new 507 hood where i couldnt 'close' the passenger side latch properly.was thinking about paying a visit to the delarship..but brute force did work ! thnx mbworld and the people in the posts !

BenzV12

I have same problem if we call it this as a problem . I hate to slam the hood but as of yet I have not found any way of closing the hood properly .
Why I dislike slamming is for fear of damaging hood lifters in long term .I will later check out the manual what's recommended .

BenzV12

I am obliged to thank you for your recommendations Herbal and BudC , thanks to your tips I no longer need to slam the hood to close it properly
Happy Days