What is a cowl on a car?

A car's cowl is the front part of the automobile's frame that supports the rear of the hood, windshield, dashboard, pedals and instrument panel. The cowl separates the passenger compartment from the engine.

Over time, a cowl may rust and cause leaks, which can ruin the electrical and air conditioning systems. Silicone sealants can help prevent further leakage before the entire cowl needs to be replaced.

Special cowl hoods can be installed on cars to allow more cool air into the engine for more fuel efficiency and better combustion. Vents on top of the cowl on standard vehicles let normal amounts of air into the engine compartment. Cowl hoods have extra vents further away from the windshield.