Your car has more uses than simply transportation. If at an outdoor event, or while waiting for a friend, you may decide to sit on the hood for ease and to see better. However, is it ok to sit on your car’s hood, or will it cause damage?
In this guide, I explore the damage that can occur when sitting on a car hood or roof, along with a few alternative ways to prevent damage to the car’s exterior.
Can You Sit on the Hood of Your Car?
Sitting on the hood of a vehicle is never a good idea. Even if you don’t damage what’s underneath the hood, which is usually pretty well protected since car manufacturers have to design for wear and tear, you may still dent or scratch the hood itself, which may be expensive to repair depending on the model of the car. Additionally, there are some hoods which are less resistant to damage than others.
The engine, transmission, battery, radiator, and other parts underneath the hood should remain relatively undamaged, even if you place a good amount of weight on the hood.
Nevertheless, you’re exposing the material and paint to unnecessary deterioration. For that reason alone, it is probably best to consider somewhere else to sit.
Reasons to Avoid Sitting on the Car Hood
#1. Body Damage.
Every car hood has a different rating based on how much weight it can support, with a large truck hood being rated for 500 pounds or more.
But stock car hoods are made out of steel at right around 50 pounds of weight-bearing capacity. Fiberglass hoods will often hold even less – a fiberglass hood could handle 30 pounds.
In a sense, the hinges do a good job keeping the hoods off the interior components, but if you sat on any of them you could easily dent the hood.
You could also easily scratch the hood with a shoe, car key, or any other hard object you are carrying. Even a button on your shirt could make an imperfection.
#2. Skin Burns.
Car hoods are mostly made of a types of metal. When the engine is running, the hood will heat up. It can also hold heat from if the car has been sitting in the sun.
If you sit on the hood of the car not realizing it is hot, you can burn your skin. This is even worse if you are in shorts.
You can protect yourself from this, of course, if the car has cooled off. If you have not run the engine for a little bit, it is probably cooler.
Cost of Car Hood Repair
The cost of fixing a car hood varies widely based on the level of damage. If the body shop can repair a dent with paintless dent repair (PDR), your total repair cost will be the lowest.
In general, a one-inch dent will cost around $50 to $150 to repair, and as the size of the dent increases (or if you have multiple dents), the cost will increase.
If the dents are too large for PDR, you will get a much higher bill, and it will cost even more to fix a dent if your hood is painted with a special color or a different type of paint (like multiple layers of paint).
If your hood has significant damage and will not be repaired but instead be replaced your total will be roughly $100 to $750, though this varies based on vehicle type. However, if you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance you could file a claim with your insurance.
If you utilize your insurance coverage, you will only pay your deductible amount, but your premiums may increase in the future if you file a claim.
Can I Sit on My Car Roof?
I can’t tell you how strong every car roof is; I can say that most vehicles are made with far more stability in the roof than the hood.
To earn a GOOD upon the Roof Strength Test, the roof must support at least four times its weight without collapsing.
With this support, one person or a couple could comfortably sit on top of the roof without undue damage.
Just the same, you would want to be careful about sitting on the roof; a person might leave scratches on the surface that would require auto body repair. In addition, if there was an excessive amount of weight on the roof, it could easily dent.
Ways to Protect Car Body from Damage
#1. Choose Parking Spots Wisely.
Parking in the front row is comfortable, but if you just take the time to walk, it might even be a good thing, since you won’t have to deal with the auto body repairs.
The closer you are to the front, the more traffic happens near your car. Cars are coming in and out, there is a greater possibility that someone is going to hit the side of your car with their door. There is also a greater chance that a cart may become unattached and roll itself into your car.
#2. Rinse Car Before Washing.
Everyone knows how important it is to wash a car regularly. A car wash is great at removing dirt and debris that can scratch the paint. Still, you need to be careful how you wash a car. You don’t want to just go to the car with a soapy sponge and start washing.
Rinsing the car first is always important. This ensures that if any dirt is loose to rinse off before cleaning with your sponge. Otherwise, the dirt and debris can act like sandpaper on the paint if it gets on the sponge.
#3. Hand Dry Your Car After Washing
While there are touchless drying machines at the automatic car washes to aid in final drying, the actual wash is not always the ideal option. Hand washing the vehicle and then hand drying it yourself is a much better option if time allows.
When you dry the vehicle, try to avoid even the cleanest rag, and acquire a nice clean microfiber cloth so that dirt doesn’t end up back on the vehicle, where it can scratch the paint.
#4. Park in a Garage.
The best way to protect the vehicle body is to park it in a covered and enclosed area. When I get home from work, I park my vehicle in my garage, adding a bit of protection because it is away from the elements.
Also, parking inside adds an element of security. If you are unable to park in a garage, then a soft cover can also provide it with protection.
#5. Do Not Park Under a Tree
When you park out in the open, selecting a spot in the shade under a tree may seem like a good idea because you know how damaging UV rays can be. However, the shade a tree provides comes with its own consequences.
While parked underneath the tree, leaves, nuts and sap can drip onto the vehicle, in addition to bird droppings. A lot of those things can be a pain to wash and scrub off, especially after they have baked onto the surface of the paint. Sometimes, it makes more sense to park in the sun.