Sorry for the rash of newbie questions, but after a lifetime being a bimmerphile, I'm a recent convert to Porsche.

One more - the owner's manual which I tend to overly treat as the gospel says to close the hood to "Lower lid and let it fall into the lock. If neccessary, push the lid with the palm of your hand in the area of the lock."

I've tried this over and over to the point where I'm afraid I'll damage my hood if I try let into fall and bang down from an even higher height. I've tried it from half height to just barely above the lock, and no matter what height, the hood just slams down but never locks. I have to always press down gently with my palm to engage the hood into the lock.

Nothing weird I think in how I'm opening hood - I press the hood open button on door sill, then open hood by sliding little lever until I can raise the hood.

Is this just a porsche 996 thing? Forget the "If necessary..." part, for me it's always required to lower all the way and then press down.

 

Not to worry your doing it right, just don't press on the emblem.

 

Do I dare ask what happens if I push on the emblem? (which so far I've never done)

 

I've found the best way is to press both corners of the hood down at the same time.

Pressing on the emblem too much, that area of the hood will curve in over time.

Peter

 

Also, pressing the emblem could loosen the nuts and the thing can come off

 

The emblem is not attached very well. It's just soldered to a couple of pins with nuts attached to the underside. The pins will break off if you close the hood by pressing on the emblem.
Been there, done that.

 

The owners video I received said to close the hood by hand and then press on either side of the emblem with the palm of your hand until it latches.

Roy

 

My dealer advised me to close the hood by pressing down on the crest with one hand on top of the other. But I've heard that the crest may become loose after a while. So, I'll be pressing down on the corners from now on!!

 

Do a search this has been discussed before. You will see pictures of bent and broken emblems because of pushing on the emblem. Push on each side of the hood where the hood stops are. Never push on the emblem.

Arnie

 

Take "quick detailer" spray bottle from trunk, spray area to be pressed down , carefully wipe away road grit with a clean microfibre cloth . Wash hands with HandiWipe , then press there with clean palm. Wipe smudge with the cloth . Open trunk to put away the cloth. After that ...

 

Gently lower the hood until the initial latch engagement, then press press with the palm/heel of your hand at a point half way between the emblem and the front edge of the hood...right over the latch.

I'd never let the hood "fall" from any height, and I'd never press on the emblem.