A tell-tale indicator for aiding an operator in locating and operating a secondary hood latch release in a gap between a vehicle body and an openable hood includes an indicator configured to locate the secondary hood latch release such that the secondary hood latch release is readily locatable and operable to open the hood. The indicator may be further configured to display an operating direction of the secondary hood latch release.

The invention relates to a closing device, comprising a locking mechanism, which has a rotary latch and at least one pawl for locking the rotary latch. The closing device comprises an electric drive for moving components of the closing device. The present invention is especially advantageous for front hoods or front flaps, which are located in the front as viewed in the typical direction of travel of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for closing a hood by means of a closing device according to the corresponding claims. The present invention aim to be able to suitably move and control a plurality of components in such a closing device without having to make an excessive technical effort therefor. The invention should preferably enable a purely electrically operated hood lock having locking, opening, and closing functions. In order to achieve the aim, a closing device having a locking mechanism comprises a control disk, by means of which at least two components, preferably at least three components, of the closing device can be moved by means of rotation of the control disk. Thus, for suitable movement of a plurality of components, it is only necessary to rotate the control disk by rotation by means of an electric drive in order to be able to close and/or open a door or flap.

A hood latch assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a first latch that is rotated in a first opening direction by a first lever disposed within a driver's seat, to push a striker mounted on a lower surface of a hood to pop up the hood. A second latch restricts or releases the striker to couple or decouple the hood to or from a vehicle body. A second lever rotates the second latch to allow the second latch to release restriction of the striker, and a housing accommodates the first and second latches and the second lever. Additionally, an extendable lever is disposed at a side of the second lever, and extends, when the hood is popped up, to protrude outward.

A number of variations may include a product including a retainer for holding a hood in a partially open position and for releasing the hood to permit full opening movement.

The problem addressed by the invention is providing a closing device for a motor vehicle that can be opened comfortably and nevertheless can be produced with little effort and cannot open in an unplanned manner. This problem is solved in that a closing device comprises a locking mechanism, which has a rotary latch and a pawl, and at least one electrical drive for opening the locking mechanism. The closing device has an actuating apparatus for actuating the electrical drive, such that the locking mechanism can be opened exclusively electrically. Thus, there is no mechanical systemfor example, comprising a handle and a Bowden cable that connects the handle to a release lever of the locking mechanismfor enabling the locking mechanism to be opened exclusively in a mechanical manner, i.e., without the use of the electrical drive or another electrical apparatus. In the non-actuated state, the electrical drive is completely disconnected from the current-carrying electrical conductors. Thus, there is then no voltage on the drive, which must be used to open the locking mechanism. The actuating apparatus is designed in such a way that, by means of actuation, one or more electrical contacts are closed in order to contact the electrical drive to a current source and put the electrical drive into operation such that an associated door or flap can be opened.