This SAE Recommended Practice establishes uniform test procedures for evaluating vehicle hood latch systems. It specifically pertains to those latch systems on hoods, which when the hood is fully opened (assuming the absence of hood stops) extend at any point above a horizontal plane through the uppermost edge of the steering wheel in the straight ahead driving position with the vehicle in a horizontal position.

The following optional tests are described.

(a)

Vehicle Performance Tests-On-the-road evaluation under an established pattern of vehicle driving situations.

(b)

Laboratory Dynamic Tests-Dynamic simulation in the laboratory of the loads and forces which the latch system encounters on the road.

(c)

Laboratory Static Tests-Simplified test procedures intended to permit static simulation of the loads which road tests have indicated the latch system may encounter.

The test procedures outlined in this recommended practice are based on current engineering test methods. It is intended that all portions of this report will be periodically reviewed and revised as additional knowledge regarding vehicle hood latch system performance under dynamic conditions is developed.