The 2020 Corvette Stingray technically features two “hoods.” There’s the rear engine cover, which lifts up to provide access to the 6.2L LT2 V8 engine and the golf bag-sized rear storage compartment, along with the actual front hood, which covers the rather deep front storage compartment or “frunk.”
Some new 2020 Corvette Stingray owners have noticed something interesting about the front trunk on the vehicle and posted their finding on Facebook. When the hood is unlatched, a message will appear on the digital driver’s display indicating the speed of the vehicle is electronically limited to 82 mph. This may seem like a fairly high speed to be driving at with an unlatched hood, but don’t be confused, Corvette owners: General Motors does not suggest driving around with your hood cracked slightly open.
Let’s refer to the official 2020 Corvette owner’s manual for clarity. Under the ‘Keys, Doors and Windows’ section of the owner’s manual on page 21, we’ll find a short paragraph cautioning owners not to drive with the front hood unlatched, as this can cause it to flip up and block the driver’s vision, increasing the risk of a crash.
“Do not drive the vehicle if the hood is not latched completely,” the paragraph reads. “The hood could open fully, block your vision, and cause a crash. You or others could be injured. Always close the hood completely before driving.”
Some drivers may be led to believe that driving with the hood unlatched at speeds of up to 82 mph may be safe due to the warning message displayed on the digital driver’s display. This isn’t the case, however. Just like any other car, the driver should always ensure the hood is closed completely before setting off. Not only could the hood flip up and block their vision, it’s likely this could damage the hood and other areas of the front of the vehicle.
Stay safe out there and enjoy y our new cars, 2020 Corvette Stingray owners.
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Comments
“The hood could open fully, block your vision, and cause a crash.” This actually happened to my Dad while driving his 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and I was in the passenger seat. He was only doing 45 MPH on a 50 MPH local highway, and the hood opened, hitting the roof and blocking all forward view. I opened my window and guided him to the road edge on the right to stop safely. The only damage was a small dent on the roof because the hood had a long chrome strip trim piece running down the center line (it didn’t have the “Rocket” emblem). That piece actually prevented the hood from hitting the windshield.
He inspected the hood, lowered it and closed it safely, with assurance that it was latched correctly. It never happened again, and he sold the Cutlass to our mechanic in 1980 because he was moving to Texas. I strongly recommend lowering that Stingray speed limit for the unlatched hood to less than 60 MPH!
Please tell me how 82 mph was chosen, sounds quite arbitrary. Did they check at different speeds how much damage it would do if it flew open ?….. LOL 😊
Especially since GM only recommends that the top of convertible version of the C8 can only be lowered or raised, while driving at speeds less than 30 mph. Since GM devised an on-dash warning screen to warn of an unlatched hood, then they should have gone a few steps farther, and had the engine CPU software coded to cut the speed immediately to about 25-30 mph, along with a loud, obnoxious warning alarm to go along with dashboard alert screen, or, better yet, engineered a starter interlock that would prevent the car from being placed in gear, if the hood was not properly latched. This wasn’t a problem with earlier editions of the Vetter that had a front-hinged hood.
Nah just limited to 85 because the old Vette buyers had one with the 85 mph speedometer.🙃🙃
Why would drive with the hood unlatched?
Given that it is unsafe to drive any car with the hood unlatched; the maximum speed for any vehicle should be no more than the legal freeway speed of 55 mph or possibly lower to force the driver to make the necessary fixes before continuing.
Open hood flying about acts as an aerodynamic air brake to reduce stopping distances. Further improvement would be opening both doors while braking!