The hood release lever is inside the cabin on the driver's side, tucked under the dash near the knee area. Pulling this lever releases the primary latch, after which you go to the front of the vehicle to operate the secondary latch and fully open the hood.
Locating the interior hood release
Use these steps to locate the lever from the driver's seat so you can begin opening the hood.
- Park the car and sit in the driver's seat with the door closed.
- Look under the dash toward the left side of the steering column, near the kick panel.
- Identify the hood release lever, which is a small handle with a hood icon on it.
- Pull the lever firmly toward you to release the primary latch.
Once the interior latch has been released, proceed to the front of the car to finish opening the hood via the secondary latch.
What if you can't locate it?
On rare occasions the lever may be harder to spot due to interior trims or how the vehicle is equipped. If you can’t find it in the standard spot described above, consult the owner’s manual or contact a Honda dealership for guidance. For most 2016 CR-V models, the lever is in the expected location on the driver's side under the dash.
Opening the hood and securing it
After releasing the interior latch, follow these steps to open the hood safely. The 2016 CR-V typically uses gas struts to hold the hood up, so you won’t need a prop rod.
- Stand in front of the car and locate the secondary latch at the center of the hood edge, near the grille.
- Push or lift the secondary latch to release it, then lift the hood.
- Let the gas struts hold the hood open; use both hands to guide it if needed.
- To close, lower the hood slowly to about a foot above the latch, then press down firmly until it clicks into place.
Always verify the hood is fully latched before driving again.
Summary
For a 2016 Honda CR-V, the interior hood release lever is located on the driver's side under the dash near the knee area. Pulling this lever releases the primary latch, after which you must go to the front of the car to release the secondary latch and lift the hood. The hood is typically supported by gas struts, eliminating the need for a prop rod. This two-step process allows quick and safe access to the engine bay.