Security Triangle comes loose in trunk, solutions?

Solar Hydro · 02-02-2006, 06:32 PM

Hello all,

I am a satisfied Prius '05 driver, in Europe (avid 'EV mode' user in parking lots, on business parks, small roads and passing through small villages, and demo-ing ;-)).

The most irritant (but perhaps trivial) issue that I have with the car is that the security triangle (which, hypothetically, you would put on the road to signal other cars about a broken down Prius), rattles like mad in the trunk.

It is located under the trunk cover, is encased in a red plastic box, and is vaguely, but inadequately positioned in a plastic molded 'compartiment' that is basically the lower part of the trunk.

When it rattles too much, I put it back in place, rattle goes away, but after a couple of weeks the rattle invariably comes back, and after a third or fourth week it starts sliding back and forth loose in the trunk when taking turns, smashing from left to right.

Is anyone else experiencing this? (no idea if these triangles are mandatory in all countries), and if so, has it been solved?

I am about to resort to radical measures, which could include: throwing the triangle out (probably illegal), throwing the casing out, to see if it fits better, and taping down either the red box, or the triangle without the red box.

Suggestions most welcome!

Thanks

Solar Hydro

aaf709 · 02-02-2006, 06:38 PM

It's not required in the US, but I have a question. Is the rattle coming from the box rather than the box itself? I mean, is the triangle secure in the box and/or the box secure in the niche? I'd put some sponge foam pieces to help wedge it in place. I did that when my old car started to rattle.

galaxee · 02-02-2006, 06:41 PM

hmm. interesting. we don't have those in the US. or at least i didn't get one with my prius.

so is the case rolling around the storage area or is the triangle running around the case? or both?

how about lining the container with a small handtowel or something to keep the triangle in place... for the case... i haven't really seen what the setup is to suggest anything to keep that thing in place.

good luck

andyprius · 02-02-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Solar Hydro@Feb 2 2006, 06:32 PM
Hello all,

I am a satisfied Prius '05 driver, in Europe (avid 'EV mode' user in parking lots, on business parks, small roads and passing through small villages, and demo-ing ;-)).

The most irritant (but perhaps trivial) issue that I have with the car is that the security triangle (which, hypothetically, you would put on the road to signal other cars about a broken down Prius), rattles like mad in the trunk.

It is located under the trunk cover, is encased in a red plastic box, and is vaguely, but inadequately positioned in a plastic molded 'compartiment' that is basically the lower part of the trunk.

When it rattles too much, I put it back in place, rattle goes away, but after a couple of weeks the rattle invariably comes back, and after a third or fourth week it starts sliding back and forth loose in the trunk when taking turns, smashing from left to right.
I have had a Triangle in my car for years, it is a requirement based on agreements of road laws made between the US and Europe, this includes the stop sign. As for the rattle you can open the case and insert some paper towels to get rid of the rattle. Should you change a tire it's good to have some goop and paper towels anyway. To the uninitiated, one may observe that triangles are put out by truckers when they have a problem. This is actually a law for all drivers in the US. (unenforced) Andy
Is anyone else experiencing this? (no idea if these triangles are mandatory in all countries), and if so, has it been solved?

I am about to resort to radical measures, which could include: throwing the triangle out (probably illegal), throwing the casing out, to see if it fits better, and taping down either the red box, or the triangle without the red box.

Suggestions most welcome!

Thanks

Solar Hydro

[snapback]202812[/snapback]

kaizen · 02-02-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Solar Hydro@Feb 2 2006, 05:32 PM

I am about to resort to radical measures, which could include: throwing the triangle out (probably illegal), throwing the casing out, to see if it fits better, and taping down either the red box, or the triangle without the red box.

Suggestions most welcome!

[snapback]202812[/snapback]

The warning triangles don't come with U.S. Prii, but Velcro strips sometimes work well for fixing problems like this. Let us know what solution you come up with.

Solar Hydro · 02-03-2006, 06:45 AM

Thanks all,

I'll experiment some solutions this weekend, and perhaps post a picture.

Solar Hydro

Solar Hydro · 02-11-2006, 12:17 PM

Hello all,

I have now (hopefully) addressed the irritating security triangle problem.

Background: the security triangle's box tends to come loose in my Prius' trunk. It first starts rattling and eventually ends up bashing around while driving.

This may indeed be a European/Belgian-only problem, because while working on it, I noticed that the plastic box of the security triangle contains an inscription: 'Selected by Toyota Belgium'.

I opted for taping the box down with double-sided sticky tape, and putting pieces of foam on either side, in the hope that it will now be firmly kept into place. I have not driven yet. I'll report back here only if my solution ends up being unsatisfactory...

You may wish to examine the 'before and after' pictures (which also reveal some of my favourite Belgian beers) via:

Solar Hydro's Prius Pictures

To see the details, first click on the thumbnail, which shows only a slightly bigger picture, and then select 'all sizes' in the options above the pic to see full details.

The key 'solution picture' (I hope this will hold) is this one:

Prius Security Triangle Solution?

Solar Hydro

KMO · 02-11-2006, 01:46 PM

I've got a similar triangle box (purchased by myself). My solution to that compartment was to buy the rubber mat that Toyota sell for it. It's a carefully shaped mat that fits neatly covering the whole of the base of the compartment, concealing the tools. It's non-slip, so the triangle basically stays put.

KMO · 02-11-2006, 01:48 PM

You can (sort of) see the mat at http://www.toyota-europe.com/cars/new_cars...accessories.asp , under Interior / Safety & Protection.

KMO · 02-11-2006, 02:22 PM

PS - that triangle looks a bit poor. It clearly doesn't meet UNECE R27 specifications. Hope that's not compulsory in Belgium. (In the UK we're not required to carry anything...)

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02-02-2006, 06:32 PM	#1
Solar Hydro Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 42 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hello all, I am a satisfied Prius '05 driver, in Europe (avid 'EV mode' user in parking lots, on business parks, small roads and passing through small villages, and demo-ing ;-)). The most irritant (but perhaps trivial) issue that I have with the car is that the security triangle (which, hypothetically, you would put on the road to signal other cars about a broken down Prius), rattles like mad in the trunk. It is located under the trunk cover, is encased in a red plastic box, and is vaguely, but inadequately positioned in a plastic molded 'compartiment' that is basically the lower part of the trunk. When it rattles too much, I put it back in place, rattle goes away, but after a couple of weeks the rattle invariably comes back, and after a third or fourth week it starts sliding back and forth loose in the trunk when taking turns, smashing from left to right. Is anyone else experiencing this? (no idea if these triangles are mandatory in all countries), and if so, has it been solved? I am about to resort to radical measures, which could include: throwing the triangle out (probably illegal), throwing the casing out, to see if it fits better, and taping down either the red box, or the triangle without the red box. Suggestions most welcome! Thanks Solar Hydro

02-02-2006, 06:38 PM	#2
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,839 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	It's not required in the US, but I have a question. Is the rattle coming from the box rather than the box itself? I mean, is the triangle secure in the box and/or the box secure in the niche? I'd put some sponge foam pieces to help wedge it in place. I did that when my old car started to rattle.

02-02-2006, 06:41 PM	#3
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,676 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	hmm. interesting. we don't have those in the US. or at least i didn't get one with my prius. so is the case rolling around the storage area or is the triangle running around the case? or both? how about lining the container with a small handtowel or something to keep the triangle in place... for the case... i haven't really seen what the setup is to suggest anything to keep that thing in place. good luck

02-03-2006, 06:45 AM	#6
Solar Hydro Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 42 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks all, I'll experiment some solutions this weekend, and perhaps post a picture. Solar Hydro

02-11-2006, 12:17 PM	#7
Solar Hydro Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 42 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hello all, I have now (hopefully) addressed the irritating security triangle problem. Background: the security triangle's box tends to come loose in my Prius' trunk. It first starts rattling and eventually ends up bashing around while driving. This may indeed be a European/Belgian-only problem, because while working on it, I noticed that the plastic box of the security triangle contains an inscription: 'Selected by Toyota Belgium'. I opted for taping the box down with double-sided sticky tape, and putting pieces of foam on either side, in the hope that it will now be firmly kept into place. I have not driven yet. I'll report back here only if my solution ends up being unsatisfactory... You may wish to examine the 'before and after' pictures (which also reveal some of my favourite Belgian beers) via: Solar Hydro's Prius Pictures To see the details, first click on the thumbnail, which shows only a slightly bigger picture, and then select 'all sizes' in the options above the pic to see full details. The key 'solution picture' (I hope this will hold) is this one: Prius Security Triangle Solution? Solar Hydro

02-11-2006, 01:46 PM	#8
KMO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 936 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: T Spirit Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I've got a similar triangle box (purchased by myself). My solution to that compartment was to buy the rubber mat that Toyota sell for it. It's a carefully shaped mat that fits neatly covering the whole of the base of the compartment, concealing the tools. It's non-slip, so the triangle basically stays put.

02-11-2006, 01:48 PM	#9
KMO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 936 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: T Spirit Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	You can (sort of) see the mat at http://www.toyota-europe.com/cars/new_cars...accessories.asp , under Interior / Safety & Protection.

02-11-2006, 02:22 PM	#10
KMO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 936 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: T Spirit Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	PS - that triangle looks a bit poor. It clearly doesn't meet UNECE R27 specifications. Hope that's not compulsory in Belgium. (In the UK we're not required to carry anything...)