[alFR]

Yes, possibly the dumbest question ever asked on a forum, but mine isn’t doing what it says in the manual… I had it open today for the first time since getting the car to dry in there after washing and couldn’t close it again. In the manual it says to drop the bonnet from 20 inches / 50cm and it will close. Mine doesn’t, it hits the latch and half engages (you can’t lift it again without going into the cabin and pulling the lever once) but it doesn’t close all the way. After about 10 tries I eventually closed it all the way by gently pushing down over the latch on both sides, but the manual specifically says not to do that as it might damage it. So, what am I doing wrong, or is there something wrong with it?

[Carbon dude]

Drop it higher. I drop mine about 30-40 cms at a rough guess.

[alFR]

I was dropping it from as high up as the hydraulics would let it fall and it still wasn’t closing.

[sjb993]

Originally Posted by alFR

Yes, possibly the dumbest question ever asked on a forum, but mine isn’t doing what it says in the manual… I had it open today for the first time since getting the car to dry in there after washing and couldn’t close it again. In the manual it says to drop the bonnet from 20 inches / 50cm and it will close. Mine doesn’t, it hits the latch and half engages (you can’t lift it again without going into the cabin and pulling the lever once) but it doesn’t close all the way. After about 10 tries I eventually closed it all the way by gently pushing down over the latch on both sides, but the manual specifically says not to do that as it might damage it. So, what am I doing wrong, or is there something wrong with it?

I think the manual only warns against pushing down on the latches if they don’t fully engage when the bonnet is dropped. With my current car, and previous 5 Series, I have always lowered the bonnet to rest on the latches, and then pressed down firmly with the heels of my hands above the latches. Never had any problems at all doing it that way.

[alFR]

Thanks, will give that a try. Also found a video on YouTube / a few web search results suggesting you don’t just let it drop, you should actively push it down hard which appears to work in the video… Will try both methods and see how I get on next time I have it open. As an aside, anyone know why the manual advises that you can damage it by pressing it closed? Seems a bit odd that it could be damaged by doing that, the catches look pretty robust.

[AM340iMiami]

I place my hands wide on each end of hood and put a little weight on it and it latches. Hands will be over each headlight. Doesn’t take much force at all. Never had any issues by doing this.

[chutoy]

When I wipe down my engine bay after a wash, I put a microfiber towel on the front and center of the hood/bonnet and use slight force to slam it down.