28 Down

NYT Daily • September 3, 2025

Prepare to do an oil change, say

Answer:

POP THE HOOD

Hint:

Think about the first step you'd take to access a car's engine before any maintenance—it involves a latch and a common phrase for revealing what's under the metal cover.

Explanation:

Prepare to do an oil change, say" hints at the first step you’d take before working on a car’s engine. The phrase "pop the hood" is a common expression for lifting the hood of a vehicle to access the engine, which is exactly what you’d do before an oil change. The clue plays on the literal action while keeping it casual, as "pop" makes it sound quick and easy. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay—just a natural way to describe the task.

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