Do Custom Hoods Affect Your Extended Warranty?
Did you know that custom hoods are one of the ways that you can upgrade your vehicle? Many car enthusiasts incorporate modifications to their vehicles, such as changing the exhaust system, cold air intake, or upgrading to a new set of tires and wheels. Custom hoods are a great way to personalize the look of your vehicle, but is there more to it than just enhancing aesthetics? But first, do custom hoods affect your extended warranty? Let’s find out!
Key Takeaways
• The car’s hood is an important part of the vehicle that protects the engine and its connected parts with a hinged cover.
• Customizing a car hood involves adding hood scoops and vents, as well as choosing different materials to fit your desired look and performance,
• Upgrading to a custom hood will not void your extended warranty coverage, as long as it is properly fabricated and installed.
What is the Function of a Car Hood?
The car hood, known as bonnet in some parts of the world, is the hinged cover that protects the engine bay (for front-engine vehicle). It is usually made from steel or aluminum. However, constructing aftermarket hoods require the use of other ingredients, such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and dry carbon.
The hood is secured in place by a concealed latch. This latch ensures that your hood stays closed while driving. You can access a release for the mechanism under the dash, just below the steering wheel. You can use that mechanism to open the hood to check the engine or performing other maintenance procedures.
A car hood’s main function is to protect the engine and its connected parts from being exposed to the elements. It also makes it convenient when doing repairs and maintenance works, especially on the engine.
There are several customizations and modifications that can be done to a car hood that improve its style and performance.
Ways to Upgrade Your Car’s Hood
A custom hood is just one of many options for a Dodge customization project. Whether you drive a Dodge or any muscle car, you might have considered how you can upgrade your hood for style and performance. The following are upgrade options to consider when customizing your car’s hood.
1. Hood Scoops and Vents
Customizing your hood to have scoops and vents improve airflow to the engine. Increased airflow can boost your engine performance. Several types of hoods and vents are available, and some custom hoods work in tandem with other engine upgrades to ensure a more powerful engine.
If you want to find the best type of hood for your vehicle, talk to an expert mechanic to ensure that you can optimize your engine’s potential.
2. Custom Hood Materials
Another way to customize your car’s hood is to pick a custom material to personalize the look and style while ensuring durability.
The most popular material for custom hoods is carbon fiber. It is a polymer-like epoxy that is stronger than actual carbon fibers. This material for custom hoods offers a distinctive appearance that with a variety of hood designs to make your car look more aggressive.
Carbon fiber is suited for classic performance cars to achieve that enhanced look, especially when the design features vent slats and air scoops to reduce “heat soak.”
Aside from carbon fiber, fiberglass is another popular material choice for custom hoods. It is less expensive and easier to produce. Aside from being cost-efficient, they are lightweight and is resistant to temperature changes. This material is easy to paint so you can customize any color of your choice.
However, the downside to using fiberglass for custom hoods is that they are more rigid. The lack of flexibility makes it more challenging when creating a custom mold and might require additional finishing work to achieve your ideal style.
For racing cars, polyurethane is the best material for custom hoods. It is smoother than fiberglass but requires special preparation to ensure that the paint adheres properly. And since it is flexible, it is easy to work with to fit your desired dimensions.
Do Custom Hoods Affect Your Extended Warranty?
No, customizing your hoods will not affect your extended warranty. Neither does using any aftermarket parts. However, you must ensure that the custom hood fabrication is done correctly to ensure it can protect the engine and other internal components. Otherwise, it will be at risk of damage and the coverage for the affected parts would be void and you have to pay for the repairs out of your own pocket.
FAQs
What is the purpose of a hood on a car?
The car hood is the hinged cover that protects the engine bay, especially for the front-engine vehicle. Therefore, the hood is vital because it prevents exposure to the elements for the engine and ensures it is easily accessible in case of repairs.
Can you modify a car hood?
Yes. It is possible to upgrade or modify the car hood to increase the engine performance or provide aesthetic benefits to your vehicle.
Do car hoods get hot?
Yes. As soon as the engine is switched on, you can expect the hood to heat up – it can even feel hot to the touch. Make sure to have it checked out if your hood gets too hot, though.
Does car customization void the warranty?
No. As long as the customization project or the parts used for the modification fit into the vehicle standards and there are no damages incurred during the customization process, it won’t void your car warranty.
