Return the hood prop rod to its home in the clasp at the front of the engine.

Gently lower the hood, and push down on it to make sure it latches.

Be sure that you don't leave any trash on top of the engine, and make sure the oil filler cap and dipstick have returned to their respective places before closing the hood.

Before driving anywhere, start the car and let it run for a couple minutes. While the engine is running, check underneath the car for any oil leaks. If oil is dripping from the drain plug you should first check for any cracks in the drain pan. If there are no cracks, you can turn off the car, and tighten the drain plug. Also, check again that the oil level has not gone outside the limits while the car was on.