When you drive, there are times you’ll need to pop the hood, whether it’s to top up windshield washer fluid, swap out the battery, or let a service technician take a look. For Mercedes-Benz vehicles in particular, many people aren’t familiar with the release location, so it’s good to know this as basic knowledge.
The engine bay, also called the engine compartment, houses the core components and systems of the car: the engine itself, exhaust, cooling system, electrical system, and fuel system. On a Mercedes-Benz, the compartment is designed with heat and vibration dampening in mind, since those are constantly generated while the engine is running.
Looking under the hood of the E-Class, you’ll see a large engine cover with the Mercedes-Benz logo in the center. On the left sits the coolant reservoir with a round cap, on the right the washer fluid fill point and some metal piping, and toward the upper left the battery and air filter housing. The view you get when the hood is open is essentially a top-down look at the entire setup.
How to Open the Hood on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Step 1: Find the hood release lever
Look down to the lower left of the driver’s seat. It’s tucked away so you don’t accidentally bump it with your leg. Just to the left of the footrest area, you’ll see a small red lever. It even has a hood-open icon printed on it. Pull it upward until you hear a click; this pops the hood open slightly.
Step 2: Release the safety latch
Go to the front of the car. The hood will be slightly raised. Reach under the edge, just left of the Mercedes-Benz emblem, and you’ll feel a latch. Lift it gently, then raise the hood fully.
Older vehicles needed a prop rod, but most modern Mercedes-Benz models use gas struts. That means once you lift it partway, the hood will rise and hold itself open automatically. When closing, lower it carefully and press down firmly so it latches—don’t just let it slam.
A Quick Look Inside the Engine Bay
With the hood open, it’s worth noting where the main consumables are located. You’ll usually only top up washer fluid yourself, but it’s helpful to recognize the layout:
- Battery: upper left
- Engine oil fill: near the engine cover
- Air filter housing: next to the battery
- Coolant reservoir: left side, round cap
- Windshield washer fluid: right side, blue cap
Even if you don’t handle your own maintenance, knowing where these are makes it easier when a technician asks you, or if you ever need to do a quick top-up.
