Body Mechanical & Trim
Hood Pad
A hood pad is the insulation blanket fixed to the underside of your hood. We list 31 hood pads from $11 to $200 for vehicles from 1969-2018, from Genuine, OEM, Febi and Original Equipment suppliers, with many fits for Mercedes models such as the 260E and 190E, plus the Volkswagen Jetta and BMW 325is.
Shop hood pad by vehicle
What a hood pad does
The pad cuts engine noise heard in and around the vehicle, and it helps shield the hood paint from engine heat. On many European cars it is a fitted, molded part held by plastic clips.
Over years of heat and oil vapor, pads sag, crumble, tear and shed pieces. A sagging pad can touch moving parts or hot exhaust components, so replace it once it starts to drop.
Choosing the right pad
Hood pads are cut to the shape of the hood's inner frame, so match the exact model and year. Several Mercedes models from the same era, such as the 190E, 260E and 230, may use different pads, so check the fitment table rather than assuming one fits all.
Check whether new clips are included. Old clips are often brittle and break during removal.
Fitting tips
Prop the hood fully open and pry the old clips out with a trim tool. Clean any loose insulation and residue from the inner hood so the new pad sits flat.
Line the pad up with the clip holes before pushing any clips home. Start in the center and work outward, then check that nothing hangs low enough to touch the engine when the hood closes.
Hood Pad questions
Is a hood insulation pad necessary?
It is not needed for the engine to run, but it reduces noise and protects the hood paint from heat. A sagging pad should be replaced or removed so it cannot touch hot or moving parts.
Do hood pads come with clips?
Some do and some do not. Check the listing contents and buy new clips if yours are brittle or broken. Clips are inexpensive and save time on the job.
Why is my hood pad falling apart?
Years of engine heat and oil vapor break down the insulation material. Crumbling and sagging are normal signs of age, and replacement is the fix.