Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Hood Louvers:

Q: Are these the real thing?

A: Yes, these are the real thing! These are open hood louvers... and they really work!

Q: How do they work?

A: They work because hot air rises! Your cooling fan pushes the hot air out through the hood louvers. Before the cool air can come into your engine compartment, the hot air must go out. Without an escape, the hot air just sits there – and gets even hotter!

Q: What’s wrong with heat in the engine compartment?

A: Heat is the mortal enemy of performance, and the temperature off the exhaust manifold is often 1,100°! An overheated engine, heated intake air and heated incoming fuel hurt performance by reducing "volumetric efficiency," and cuts power and gas mileage. It is also the mortal enemy of engine life and the life of under-hood components. Heat shortens the life of everything under the hood: radiator, heater and vacuum hoses; insulation on wires; steering flex units; delicate sending units and relays; the battery; and high-performance ignition systems. And more strain is placed on your cooling system to maintain the engine at proper operating temperature. A/C efficiency also drops.

Q: Why is this critical?

A: Because if everything isn't working perfectly and you find yourself in a traffic jam – on the race course or on the street – you might need the extra margin of safety heat escape hood louvers give you! They push back the critical failure point of many components to make the difference in getting there or not! Helps solve hot-start problems, too.

Q: Is it true that engines are runner hotter today?

A: Yes, due to government-mandated polution controls, engines are now running about 30° to 40° hotter than back in the 1980's. The norm for many decades was 180° today many run at 210° to 220°. So the need for hood louvers is even greater!

Q: How do I know these work?

A: After you install them and get your engine up to full-operating temperature, especially on a hot day, just try to hold your hand over the heat-escape louvers. Feel the heat pour out! In cold weather, with ice on your windshield, start your engine and let it warm up. Depending upon the placement of the heat escape louvers in relation to your windshield, the heat can actually melt the ice on your windshield! Under hood temperatures drop more than 30°, and many owners report their engine temperature gauge shows a drop of 15° to 20°.

Q: Is this a new approach to old, proven science?

A: Yes! RunCool® Hood Louvers introduced this easy-add-on, universal-fit metal louver concept. Now, at a fraction of the cost, you don't need to remove your hood, find a shop (few!) that can press louvers in your hood (usually $400-$600), then repaint your hood (another $300?) and re-install it.

Q: Are these desirable in the winter, too?

A: Yes, even in the winter, because heat inside your engine compartment reduces component life, year 'round.

Q: Are these universal fit?

A: Yes, these have designed-in flexibility; they contour to fit hoods from flat to curved.

Q: Can I paint these?

A: Yes, it is easy to spray paint the Natural Aluminum models the body color of your vehicle, if you like. Buy a can of spray paint from the dealer or from a parts store. Paint them before you put them on so the stainless steel rivets will remain the natural color and be more noticeable – for that performance look.

Q: What about wrapping your exhaust manifolds/headers with cloth insulation – is that a good idea?

A: The problem is that holds in all that heat into the cast iron of the manifold or the steel of the headers. This raises the temperature of the metal to ultra-high levels. This can cause molecular breakdown of the metal, causing the manifold or headers to fracture or crack – then it's time to shell our $$$'s for a new set (this happened to the our company's president on his Harley on I-95 on the ride back from Daytona Bike Week!).

Q: What about water running through the louvers and onto my engine?

A: No problem. Water doesn't hurt your engine. After all, many car enthusiasts wash their engines many times each year. As explained in the directions, you don't want water to get on a distributor – but most vehicles built in the past 15 years don't have a distributor. If you do, and if it's a V8, the louvers will be outboard of that. Also consider the alternator – but the louvers are usually far enough behind that not to matter. Otherwise the instructions provided explain how to make a rain diverter.

Q: Are instructions and mounting hardware provided?

A: Yes! Concise, step-by-step instructions are included, along with stainless steel pop rivets – and even the right-size drill bit!

Q: Will these hood louvers or rivets ever rust?

A: NO! We hate rust! These are made of Aluminum or Stainless Steel – both are non-rusting. The rivets are Stainless Steel – non-rusting! They will outlast the rest of your vehicle; they will outlast you; and they will outlast everyone alive today! We should re-name them the Eternity Hood Louvers.

Q: Where can I find installation instructions?

A: Installation Instructions ( .97 mb)

Q: Where can I find specifications for the louvers?

A: Louver Specifications

Q: Is satisfaction guaranteed?

A: Yes. You have 30 days to decide, or return them for a cheerful refund. However, once you set them on your hood and see how good they look – and how plain and meek your vehicle looks without them – you will find them impossible to live without – guaranteed!

Don't see a answer to a question you have here?
Feel free to call (804) 355-1758.


		Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Hood Louvers: Q: Are these the real thing? A: Yes, these are the real thing! These are open hood louvers... and they really work! Q: How do they work? A: They work because hot air rises! Your cooling fan pushes the hot air out through the hood louvers. Before the cool air can come into your engine compartment, the hot air must go out. Without an escape, the hot air just sits there – and gets even hotter! Q: What’s wrong with heat in the engine compartment? A: Heat is the mortal enemy of performance, and the temperature off the exhaust manifold is often 1,100°! An overheated engine, heated intake air and heated incoming fuel hurt performance by reducing "volumetric efficiency," and cuts power and gas mileage. It is also the mortal enemy of engine life and the life of under-hood components. Heat shortens the life of everything under the hood: radiator, heater and vacuum hoses; insulation on wires; steering flex units; delicate sending units and relays; the battery; and high-performance ignition systems. And more strain is placed on your cooling system to maintain the engine at proper operating temperature. A/C efficiency also drops. Q: Why is this critical? A: Because if everything isn't working perfectly and you find yourself in a traffic jam – on the race course or on the street – you might need the extra margin of safety heat escape hood louvers give you! They push back the critical failure point of many components to make the difference in getting there or not! Helps solve hot-start problems, too. Q: Is it true that engines are runner hotter today? A: Yes, due to government-mandated polution controls, engines are now running about 30° to 40° hotter than back in the 1980's. The norm for many decades was 180° today many run at 210° to 220°. So the need for hood louvers is even greater! Q: How do I know these work? A: After you install them and get your engine up to full-operating temperature, especially on a hot day, just try to hold your hand over the heat-escape louvers. Feel the heat pour out! In cold weather, with ice on your windshield, start your engine and let it warm up. Depending upon the placement of the heat escape louvers in relation to your windshield, the heat can actually melt the ice on your windshield! Under hood temperatures drop more than 30°, and many owners report their engine temperature gauge shows a drop of 15° to 20°. Q: Is this a new approach to old, proven science? A: Yes! RunCool® Hood Louvers introduced this easy-add-on, universal-fit metal louver concept. Now, at a fraction of the cost, you don't need to remove your hood, find a shop (few!) that can press louvers in your hood (usually $400-$600), then repaint your hood (another $300?) and re-install it. Q: Are these desirable in the winter, too? A: Yes, even in the winter, because heat inside your engine compartment reduces component life, year 'round. Q: Are these universal fit? A: Yes, these have designed-in flexibility; they contour to fit hoods from flat to curved. Q: Can I paint these? A: Yes, it is easy to spray paint the Natural Aluminum models the body color of your vehicle, if you like. Buy a can of spray paint from the dealer or from a parts store. Paint them before you put them on so the stainless steel rivets will remain the natural color and be more noticeable – for that performance look. Q: What about wrapping your exhaust manifolds/headers with cloth insulation – is that a good idea? A: The problem is that holds in all that heat into the cast iron of the manifold or the steel of the headers. This raises the temperature of the metal to ultra-high levels. This can cause molecular breakdown of the metal, causing the manifold or headers to fracture or crack – then it's time to shell our $$$'s for a new set (this happened to the our company's president on his Harley on I-95 on the ride back from Daytona Bike Week!). Q: What about water running through the louvers and onto my engine? A: No problem. Water doesn't hurt your engine. After all, many car enthusiasts wash their engines many times each year. As explained in the directions, you don't want water to get on a distributor – but most vehicles built in the past 15 years don't have a distributor. If you do, and if it's a V8, the louvers will be outboard of that. Also consider the alternator – but the louvers are usually far enough behind that not to matter. Otherwise the instructions provided explain how to make a rain diverter. Q: Are instructions and mounting hardware provided? A: Yes! Concise, step-by-step instructions are included, along with stainless steel pop rivets – and even the right-size drill bit! Q: Will these hood louvers or rivets ever rust? A: NO! We hate rust! These are made of Aluminum or Stainless Steel – both are non-rusting. The rivets are Stainless Steel – non-rusting! They will outlast the rest of your vehicle; they will outlast you; and they will outlast everyone alive today! We should re-name them the Eternity Hood Louvers. Q: Where can I find installation instructions? A: Installation Instructions ( .97 mb) Q: Where can I find specifications for the louvers? A: Louver Specifications Q: Is satisfaction guaranteed? A: Yes. You have 30 days to decide, or return them for a cheerful refund. However, once you set them on your hood and see how good they look – and how plain and meek your vehicle looks without them – you will find them impossible to live without – guaranteed! Don't see a answer to a question you have here? Feel free to call (804) 355-1758.

RUNCOOL® HOOD LOUVERS 6767 FOREST HILL AVE. • SUITE 305 • RICHMOND, VA 23225 • (804) 355-1758 Fax (804) 320-3223 • EMAIL: COOL@HOODLOUVERS.COM SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR RETURN IN 30 DAYS FOR A FULL REFUND RunCool is a manufacturer of hood louvers, hood vents, and accessories to cool your engine.