When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I used to think that was an access "door" for the hood latch in case the hood cable broke.
Now that I see the exploded view, it's there to get the upper radiator baffle past the hood latch bracket during assembly mine is "hinged" on the side opposite than shown in the diagram.